The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: old ploughman on June 13, 2010, 09:51:17 pm
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Hi there,
I am looking for some feedback. I am a farmer (only 50 acres :-[) in Shropshire. I used to run quite a large farm contracting business alongside my small farm before deciding to leave the rat race a few years ago. I now produce hay and haylage off my 50 acres, mainly for the horse market, and continue a small contracting operation doing what I can on my own - ploughing, hedgetrimming, hedgelaying, fencing, haymaking, etc. I also spent some time as a trainer - teaching tractor driving, forklift and telehandler operators
Though I say it myself, I am pretty good at what I do and my desire to do a job well lead me to start entering ploughing matches about 6 years ago. To cut a long story short - I am the current British reversible ploughing champion and have just returned from the World Championships in New Zealand. I have previously represented England in the European Championships in Denmark and Czech Republic. I am not telling you that to be big-headed, only so that you know my credentials.
To cut to the chase - I have long thought that there must be a demand for someone to teach people (especially smallholders?) how to plough and possibly fence and hedgelay - all skills which are quickly disappearing. So, is there a demand for such a service? Or am I just fooling myself and no-one really wants to learn these skills?
I look forward to your replies,
regards
old ploughman
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wish you were in Scotland! Im sure there would be a demand. Good luck :D
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If there was a service like that in Scotland I too would use it!
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Fencing - me too, in Scotland, but not ploughing on my wee patch, or hedgelaying. Perhaps pruning skills too maybe?
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Crumbs, sounds like i need to move North of the border!
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We would be interested in stuff - we're in Scotland but might travel OR you could come to us and run a course or two.
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I would be interested in learning hedgelaying and fencing out of interest. Love things like that.
Not much need for ploughing in a Birmingham garden ;D
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Hi,
We're in Powys, definitely interested in ploughing plus general grassland management - only have 14 acres though (and very new to it so no real idea what we're doing yet!). Already know how to do the fencing and hedgelaying as used to volunteer for Wildlife Trusts, but definitely think there would be a demand for this as well.
Susie
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I am sure there is a demand if you are ever in Australia, your services with my husband and I would be appreciated. My husband has learnt how to build fences through a local gentleman hire to build our fences, he is a lovely man and quite willing to help my husband out on the fence building side now we need to learn about hay making.