Diversifying your Farm; Exciting New Ideas for Farmers

As many of you will be aware, Farm Diversification is on the rise with many farms jumping into it and adding new and innovative ways to generate more streams of income. It is a strategy many farmers are embracing to secure their livelihoods and ensure more long-term sustainability. With shifting market demands and environmental challenges, diversification offers a pathway to create multiple revenue streams.

But what exactly is farm diversification?

It’s about exploring innovative ideas beyond traditional farming practices to generate additional income; this can be done through many different ways. For example, could you add a pumpkin patch in the autumn and charge people to visit and pick out a pumpkin? Or could you set up a farm shop and sell all your natural produce you have been growing on the farm?

Here’s a list of some exciting new ideas that you could use to diversify your farm:

• Rent your space for storage: If you have unused buildings or land, consider renting out space for storage purposes. From agricultural equipment to vehicles, there is ALWAYS a demand for secure storage facilities.
• Local farm shop – Tap into the growing demand for locally sourced produce by selling what you grow in your very own farm shop. Consumers love to support local!!
• Agritourism experiences – Get in touch with the local community and ask if they would be interested in you doing guided farm tours or educational workshops to engage visitors and generate additional revenue.
• Event hosting – Farms are increasingly popular venues for memorable events so why not rent out your farm for weddings, corporate events or special occasions?
• Glamping pods – These have become extremely popular in recent years, embrace the trend of experimental travel by setting up glamping/camping sites on your farm. They are sure to generate revenue no matter what time of the year it is. Name something more appealing than a get away to our beautiful countryside
• Pumpkin patch/ strawberry picking – These are becoming increasingly popular  so why not meet seasonal demand to charge people to pick some pumpkins or strawberries?
•  Turkeys - People these days are prepared to pay a premium price for traditional breeds and ethically raised birds, this would be another fantastic source of income around the winter months. 

How H&H can help you with your diversification plans:

At H&H Land & Estates, we understand the importance of diversification in today’s agricultural landscape. Our experienced land agency team can help you through many steps in the diversification process:

Planning & Development: Along with our planning and architectural consultants, Harraby Green Associates, we can help you through the initial planning and development stages. From obtaining planning permission to navigating regulatory hurdles, we can help you through it all so if you are considering building something new on your farm, we are here to help.

Budgeting & Finance: We are very proud to work with AMC (Agricultural Mortgage Corporation)  are the largest lender to the agricultural sector funding about 40% of the rural and farm market. Our AMC agents, Jonathan Hird and Tim Parsons, can provide tailored funding solutions to support your diversification plans. Whether you need assistance with budgeting or long term financing, we have got you covered.

Are you considering going forward with a diversification project? Why not contact your local H&H office today to gain some expert knowledge on the subject?