What do you think the best form of diversification is?

[Pasty]

@Pasty
I looked into the Natural England stewardship option as a Dartmoor farmer some eight years ago as we are slowly intent on creating the largest forest garden in the UK. Firstly I had to pay something like £400 to for a ludicrous website / schedule for both teacher and another for the kids. Secondly Natural England did not assist of inform on the insurance issue. There have been massively expensive cases brought about by mistakes made on children visits ( not necessarily farms but one has to remember a farm can be a dangerous place). Thirdly there had to be a minimum of four visits in the year and obviously none of the schools plumb for winter visits so they are bunched up in the summer which is the busiest time for the farmer. Also the school and more importantly the farmer has to write up reports for Natural England to accept after the visit. The school could, for example complain about the farmer. If they are not happy with the farmer's or school teacher's report they will deduct money. I have had around £6000 deducted from HLS, OELS, UELS and SFP schemes over the last two years and they are complaining at the moment ( and this is perfectly true) as the NE officer and RPA inspector cannot find 5 of my trees. They have not visited of asked me where they are...so presumably are using Arial photography. As I have over 20000 trees they must be having lay a laugh. The money Natural England were willing to pay me for school trips ( I recall eight years ago being about £400 for four visits) would not even cover the costs of the insurance. However the idea of school visits is excellent - the problem being the Rural Payments Agency ( who pay the money and do the inspecting) and Natural England ( who initiate these schemes) - are both management top heavy agencies and need urgently to be reviewed as they performance is poor value for money. One of the biggest criticisms I have of both these agencies is their negativity i.e. programmed to look for problems to deduct money rather than reward for the benefits. In 9 years I have had not one compliment - being totally organic, and ethical I can only conclude something is seriously wrong ; the RPA officers no nothing about farming but simply walk around your farm with a hand held devise - it's akin to inviting an enemy into your house. I have opted out of BPS and will soon be rid of the NE schemes.

Sorry for the long answer to school visits but it helps to know the background to these social and environmental schemes that are not all they are cracked up to be. Most farmers have joined up to these schemes because their incomes are so low they simply cannot survive without the extra money. If you asked them privately what they think of NE and the RPA it would probably be unprintable.

Thanks for sharing your experience, very illuminating!

 

[Nick Adams]

@Pasty
I looked into the Natural England stewardship option as a Dartmoor farmer some eight years ago as we are slowly intent on creating the largest forest garden in the UK. Firstly I had to pay something like £400 to for a ludicrous website / schedule for both teacher and another for the kids. Secondly Natural England did not assist of inform on the insurance issue. There have been massively expensive cases brought about by mistakes made on children visits ( not necessarily farms but one has to remember a farm can be a dangerous place). Thirdly there had to be a minimum of four visits in the year and obviously none of the schools plumb for winter visits so they are bunched up in the summer which is the busiest time for the farmer. Also the school and more importantly the farmer has to write up reports for Natural England to accept after the visit. The school could, for example complain about the farmer. If they are not happy with the farmer's or school teacher's report they will deduct money. I have had around £6000 deducted from HLS, OELS, UELS and SFP schemes over the last two years and they are complaining at the moment ( and this is perfectly true) as the NE officer and RPA inspector cannot find 5 of my trees. They have not visited of asked me where they are...so presumably are using Arial photography. As I have over 20000 trees they must be having lay a laugh. The money Natural England were willing to pay me for school trips ( I recall eight years ago being about £400 for four visits) would not even cover the costs of the insurance. However the idea of school visits is excellent - the problem being the Rural Payments Agency ( who pay the money and do the inspecting) and Natural England ( who initiate these schemes) - are both management top heavy agencies and need urgently to be reviewed as they performance is poor value for money. One of the biggest criticisms I have of both these agencies is their negativity i.e. programmed to look for problems to deduct money rather than reward for the benefits. In 9 years I have had not one compliment - being totally organic, and ethical I can only conclude something is seriously wrong ; the RPA officers no nothing about farming but simply walk around your farm with a hand held devise - it's akin to inviting an enemy into your house. I have opted out of BPS and will soon be rid of the NE schemes.

Sorry for the long answer to school visits but it helps to know the background to these social and environmental schemes that are not all they are cracked up to be. Most farmers have joined up to these schemes because their incomes are so low they simply cannot survive without the extra money. If you asked them privately what they think of NE and the RPA it would probably be unprintable.

Agree with all the above. I was in it when it was £100 per visit. The teachers on their big salaries and pensions do nothing and are less interested than the kids and you're expected to do everything for a ton.

As farmers we need to value ourselves better and charge ourselves out at rates that recognize our skills, knowledge, experience etc.

 

[Pasty]

I think it's £290 a visit now. Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. We have a friend who is an ex teacher and now doing forest school /residential stuff so can get plenty of advice. Plus my wife (on her big salary and pension) teaches so we have links to the profession.

 

[gta123]

Renewable energy and tourism. Also an intergration of something unique such as rarebreeds.

 

[mikep]

I think this year digging a reservoir for watersports as filling it would be no problem.

 

[jackrussell101]

Property.

 

[DrWazzock]

Landscape gardening groundwork, (not the artistic design bit for me, I leave that to an expert).

We've got all the kit anyway and a lot of the skills for levelling and prepping the ground so it fits in well.

It's hard work but rewarding and generates a bit of additional income.

 

[jackrussell101]

Property is always good when farming is bad and vice versa for this reason I believe it to be a good hedge for a farming business to have on the side, also it is very good because not too many other farmers can compete with you such as going into horse livery or contracting.

 

[Still Farming]

Will the Government pay you to set up migrant camp ?

 

[Jack Townsend Farming]

UK Farmers who have diversified!! Please spare a couple of moments to complete a survey on farmers perceptions of which factors contribute most to success of farm diversification projects. This survey will make up part of my dissertation at Harper Adams University.

To complete the survey please follow the below link:

https://harper-adams.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/farmers-perception-of-what-factors-influence-a-successful

Thank you for your time

 

[curlietailz]

Renewable energy if you can and propertybe that holiday lets or rental
It’s a nice regular earner

 

[Old Tip]

You have to do something your interested in or it becomes a real chore and you may as well get a job instead.
Renewable energy is ok if you have the money to outlay or get a good deal but it can be a reall killer of friendships.

 

[curlietailz]

You have to do something your interested in or it becomes a real chore and you may as well get a job instead.
Renewable energy is ok if you have the money to outlay or get a good deal but it can be a reall killer of friendships.

I’d agree that renewables especially solar and turbines are a Marmite technology.
You either love them ( usually the person getting all the ££££) or you hate them ( usually everyone else)

It’s a business though, and you have to do whatever it takes to keep your business sustained.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Renewables, without a doubt... for us anyway....

...and I'm interested in managing the site, grazing it with sheep and zero use of any other forms of 'vegetation removal devices.'.. except a spot spray here and there.



Pleasantly surprised actually.

 

[wilber]

Getting a job has been touted a lot in here but it has a lot of problems too. You work to another persons schedule, if its full time it will slowly but surely wear you away particularly when you have your own work to take care of in the mornings, evenings and weekends.