Author Topic: Hello from a novice grower and smallholder (Read 3689 times)

BrimwoodFarm · « **on:** May 02, 2016, 04:15:36 pm »

Hi everyone!

I thought it was about time I joined a smallholding forum so I can get even more obsessed about this little dream of mine! I currently live in a terraced house in an urban area; keep lots of chickens, have a menagerie of other pets and have started an extremely small scale market garden. I'm lucky enough to have around 40ish acres of farmland in Suffolk that was my grandfathers. Alas, there's no residential building anymore and my husband's current visa restrictions and a lack of finance stop us heading up there yet...BUT, the dream is to build a house and work the land as my grandfather and great grandfather did.

My main question today was about doorstep selling of vegetables, but I couldn't work out the correct topic to post in. I currently sell fresh eggs from home, but am getting to the stage where I want to start selling crops too; pak choi, spinach and mesclun mixes are almost ready to go. I've got a few questions;

- Do I need liability insurance is selling a little amount from home?
- How to price up/weigh/package things like salads?

Any advice would be appreciated. I want to do this all properly and not just jump in without knowing, so I'm hoping there's some sage advice out there!

Look forward to meeting you all,

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2016, 07:39:33 pm »

Hello and welcome to TAS. Can't help with your queries but will watch to see what others post.

BrimwoodFarm · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2016, 07:52:53 pm »

Hi Rosemary, thanks for the welcome.

mowhaugh · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2016, 08:26:27 pm »

Hello! No idea re the veg, but it sounds a great idea.

BrimwoodFarm · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2016, 08:31:29 pm »

Quote from: mowhaugh on May 02, 2016, 08:26:27 pm

Hello! No idea re the veg, but it sounds a great idea.

If I work it all out, I'll have to write up a little post!

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2016, 08:37:24 pm »

Hi and welcome to the forum from

Mid wales!

Here is some stuff which you might like to read?
http://www.growingformarket.com/articles/Greens-and-lettuce-salad-mixes
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables
I hope this helps?

BrimwoodFarm · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2016, 08:52:51 pm »

Quote from: waterbuffalofarmer on May 02, 2016, 08:37:24 pm

Hi and welcome to the forum from Mid wales! Here is some stuff which you might like to read?
http://www.growingformarket.com/articles/Greens-and-lettuce-salad-mixes
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/comply-with-marketing-standards-for-fresh-fruit-and-vegetables
I hope this helps?

Thanks for those links! As always, the gov.uk rules need a little digesting! ha. I loved the growing for market article about being creative with the mixes and getting a delicious salad crop. That's something I need to play with!

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2016, 01:07:23 am »

and welcome from Shropshire.

DavidandCollette · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2016, 09:33:23 am »

:wave:and from North Lincolnshire. Doing something similar but already have public liability because we have 3 acres to hand. I understand that the trick is to sell by the bag rather than by weight because you would have to have scales checked by the local authority. Keep us informed

BrimwoodFarm · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2016, 10:17:10 am »

Quote from: DavidandCollette on May 03, 2016, 09:33:23 am

:wave:and from North Lincolnshire. Doing something similar but already have public liability because we have 3 acres to hand. I understand that the trick is to sell by the bag rather than by weight because you would have to have scales checked by the local authority. Keep us informed

Ooh, that's a good tip about the bag; thanks. I've emailed my local council to ask their opinion too so hopefully I'll find out how to go about this.

devonlady · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2016, 10:27:51 am »

Hello,welcome to this friendly forum and good luck with your venture!

BrimwoodFarm · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2016, 06:17:26 pm »

Well, I contacted the local council and was told I needed to register as a food business - it's free and easy.

However, was told there is 'no specific guidance for small scale vegetables', so I suppose I can just sell away. I'm not sure what constitutes small scale or commercial - after all, the plan is to grow this to a full time market garden enterprise. Maybe if I only ever sell direct to customers it's still considered small scale? Who knows!

silkwoodzwartbles · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2016, 06:28:52 pm »

Welcome, your enterprise sounds like great fun, good luck with it!

BrimwoodFarm · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2016, 06:36:17 pm »

Quote from: silkwoodzwartbles on May 03, 2016, 06:28:52 pm

Welcome, your enterprise sounds like great fun, good luck with it!

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm have a good time. It's VERY small scale - I literally just want to start a market farm in my back garden. But the rules and regs for selling at this level seem very confused. Why am I surprised?! ha!