The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Rosadollymixture on April 19, 2012, 03:38:00 pm

Title: Just starting out
Post by: Rosadollymixture on April 19, 2012, 03:38:00 pm
Hi,  just starting out in the smallholding world, well hobby farming really as we don't expect to make a living out of it just yet.  North East Scotland can provide its challenges, mainly weather conditions but regardless of the continuous rain and wind we've set ourselves up with a handfull of sheep, a few chickens and a couple of weaner pigs (all rarebreed).  We did have a hive of bees but the last snowfall finished them off, we've got plans to start again soon.  We are attempting to keep ourselves stocked with homegrown veg but again the weather is giving us a few headaches, even with a polytunnel. Any words of wisdom, or otherwise, from all you experienced smallholders would be very welcome. :wave:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Rosie posie on April 19, 2012, 03:54:11 pm
Hi there from sunny, if a little windy, Mid-Wales :)
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: sabrina on April 19, 2012, 04:33:15 pm
I am also in the North East of Scotland near Banff and growing any veg here can be a hit or a miss. We have had days in march where it was 20 degrees but also 10 in July or less. what does well one year may be a waste of time the next. Getting your pigs or lambs slaughter has become harder. This time we used Millers of Speyside which is a 2 hour drive and they did make a good job. I think with the way the weather is going all over the country smallholding will become even harder. Food for animals much more expensive . I love our place but we both work. I only a few hours a week but the day to day running of our place falls to me. OH does fencing and big jobs like that when he can fit them in. We could not make a living from  our land but what we do grow helps.
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Bert on April 19, 2012, 05:27:33 pm
Hi from the Isle of Mull  :wave:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Bangbang on April 19, 2012, 07:21:55 pm
Hi,  :wave:

Big welcome from sunny Aberdeenshire...the land that time and sun forgot !

We got sheep, goats and other things  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Rosemary on April 19, 2012, 07:33:57 pm
Hello and welcome from Carnoustie  :wave:

Hope to see you at the Scottish Smallholder and Grower Festival on 30th September at Forfar Market  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Mammyshaz on April 19, 2012, 07:59:12 pm
Hello and welcome from Durham, currently experiencing a torrential downpour.
 :wave:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Goldcraig on April 19, 2012, 08:19:34 pm
Hello from North Ayrshire..... :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Mel on April 19, 2012, 09:57:55 pm
Hi and welcome from Northants,we wish you well   :wave:
Title: Re: Just starting out
Post by: Lesley Silvester on April 19, 2012, 11:16:39 pm
 :wave:  Hi and welcome from soggy Shropshire.  Sounds like a challenge but fun with it.