How do we save our smallholding?

kazwookie

Farmers-wife wrote: »

Regarding the suggestions for a campsite/tents etc. unfortunately the road we live off is a single track which we don't believe we would ever get planing permission for. It such a shame as I would have loved to have done some form of glamping (nudist or otherwise .)
...

Why not ring up the local council planning dept, for an 'informal chat' over the phone over pp and if they 'might' consider it?

jonewer

Campsite. Dont need much. Just a bog and a tap and the people will come! I have seen plenty of campsites with single track roads, though you might not be allowed caravans.

Cider. Under a certain quantity, you dont need to be registered for duty. Learn to graft trees and plant a small orchard of cider apples on very dwarf root stocks.

Edit - Its 7,000 liters of still cider before you have to register for duty

welovemarmite

farmers wife - you are quite near CAT (centre for alternative technology) might be worth going and talking to them, can you trial anything for them? help put people up? similar to the ideas someone said for the uni. See what changes you can make to the cottage simply and cheaply to appeal to the 'green' market and market it in that way.

Jonewer - is there a minimal limit for country wines? can you ppoint me in the right direction for the cider /duty info?

RAS

This is not exactly single track (there are passing places on the "main road" over Fleet Moss) but gives you one idea

http://yorkshiredalesgranola.co.uk/

At one stage the YDNP were promoting their meat but of course the leaflet the YDNP produced had not contact phone numbers , email addresses or web-sites details

jonewer

welovemarmite wrote: »

Jonewer - is there a minimal limit for country wines? can you ppoint me in the right direction for the cider /duty info?

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000207&propertyType=document#P71_6996

See section 3.1

If you're considering this, check out the Cider Workshop on Google Groups.

If I ever get my hands on a few acres, its certainly something I will be doing At the moment I am trying to make it from wild apples collected from the roadside. See how that turns out! :beer:

Beware though, it will take several years and some investment to get a productive orchard.

welovemarmite

thanks jonewe, we are currently starting to look into the possibilities of making and selling country wines

charlies-aunt

Just a few ideas
- boarding kennels - dogs or cats -or- offer doggy day care
- use a barn to raise turkeys to sell for Christmas
- grow Christmas Trees ditto
- sell / deliver seasonal home grown veg boxes
- make up and sell xmas hampers of HM jams / chutney/ pickles /fruit loaves / cider / wine
- raise quails - sell the eggs fresh or pickled
- a couple of nanny goats for milk
- weekend retreat for people looking for a peaceful place to rest reflect and recharge
- cooking courses - using your own fresh produce
- animal feed / hay / straw stockist
- rent a barn and a couple of acres out for a couple of ponies

chriz1

If I were in your situation and I don't live a million miles from you, consider 4x4 off roading/trial bikes get a digger in for a week to make a few tracks advertise at local motor clubs there always looking for land to play on,

mikey_D

Few more ideas

-annual music festival
-stag/hen weekends clay pigeon shooting/zorbing/off road karting/mountain biking. Cheap minibus to drop people off at the local pub/town.
-specialist kennels (chickens/goats)
-craft barn
-wedding venue
-any rivers with fishing rights, game fishing can make a lot of money from the land.
-Anninal husbandry weekends (goats/chickens) etc.
-specialist country store for local backyard animal keepers
-pet supplies store
-plant nursery/garden centre

Elsewhere

I see someone mentioned growing Christmas trees - how about hiring them out like these people?

http://www.selfsufficiencyschool.co.uk/christmas-tree-hire/