How do we save our smallholding?

Farmers-wife_2

WOW, so many fantastic ideas! Thank you all very much.

It's looking likely we're going to try a wide variety of the ideas and see what works for us.

I'm definitely going to do 'something' with the fleeces this next year. Even if it's only washing them and then popping them on Ebay.

We're going to look into veg boxes, turkeys for Christmas, herb baskets (like hanging baskets only with more herbs ) and some other bits and pieces yet to be decided.

The Christmas tree idea has got me interested though - I'm definitely going to look into it further. It ties in well with my love of Christmas and the turkeys!

Will keep popping back to this thread for inspiration and to update on our progress.

Rummer

Farmers-wife wrote: »

I'm definitely going to do 'something' with the fleeces this next year. Even if it's only washing them and then popping them on Ebay.

A few suggestions regarding the fleeces

Contact your local spinners and weavers guild they can advise on what people look for in a fleece and may let you take some to meetings to sell.

I have also seen local farms have a shearing and fleece day where people pay a token amount to come and watch the sheep being sheared, hear about the breed, maybe have a cuppa and a biscuit and then choose their fleeces in person.

If selling through ebay you don't have to wash the fleece just skirt it and pick over it so the worst is removed and then people can prep it the way they like. Worth selling as whole and partial fleeces.

Ravelry is another good place to sell your fleeces if you go onto it (free to join) there are a number of boards with classified sections to allow you to sell.

welovemarmite

Rummer wrote: »

A few suggestions regarding the fleeces

Ravelry is another good place to sell your fleeces if you go onto it (free to join) there are a number of boards with classified sections to allow you to sell.

Totally agree with this. I use this site frequently.

Itismehonest

Anything here that may help with different ideas?
http://www.hiddenvalleypigs.co.uk/

carebabe

care farming ?

Ivana_Tinkle

The big moneyspinner for smallholders round here (rural Cornwall) seems to be that the family moves out and lives in a tent/outbuilding for 6-8 weeks over the summer so they can rent out their home as a holiday let. That would be my idea of hell, but there's a lot of money in it.

mazdaa

breed puppies.

Davesnave

mazdaa wrote: »

breed puppies.

Assuming you don't know the stories behind the existing puppy trade in Wales, I'd suggest you read up on them, then consider this post again.

Anyway, your post gives me a chance to add a few links to raise awareness:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/03/puppy-farms-battery-dogs

http://www.endangereddogs.com/EDDREndPuppyFarms.htm

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/dog-welfare-charities-hit-out-6455085

Mallotum_X

Consider blogging about your experiences. If you develop a readership it is possible to sell advertising space and also get given items for free to review. Unlikely to make any money fast, but if it becomes something you enjoy doing it can give your income an extra boost in time.

Overall the key is going to be having several income streams so you don't rely on one thing.

valk_scot

I know this is an older thread but here's some information on producing fleeces for sale to hand spinners.


http://www.yarnmaker.co.uk/fleece.html


Quickest way to make a reasonable return is to put it on Ebay, I think. But don't bother washing it first, most spinners prefer to do that themselves. A good picture of the fleece laid out on a contrasting sheet plus a close up picture of a couple of locks is helpful, also any extra information on pedigree as well as breed.