The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Happy91 on August 09, 2015, 06:24:00 pm

Title: Hi there
Post by: Happy91 on August 09, 2015, 06:24:00 pm

hey there guys and girls,   

 my name is happy I'm 24 and I live in Norfolk.
 
I'm looking to start a smallholding of the size 8 acres maybe smaller for better food for my family, and so i don't have to work for minimum wage :( and Hopefully something to pass down to the kids in the future,
also i want to start a farm stall at friday markets etc, Wild Camping that sort of thing.

But I don't have a penny to my name, well i have a steady income every month but it goes on the bills and the kids etc. (you know how it is)

So i'm contemplating getting a Loan or mortgage
To help me start up.   

If anyone has any ideas to help me out that would be fantastic stuff,
I look forward to conversing with you.

Love & Light
Happy... 
     

 

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on August 10, 2015, 09:56:26 am

I haven't been in that position myself so can't offer much useful advice but wanted to say welcome to the forum  :wave: 

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: Bionic on August 10, 2015, 10:19:16 am

Welcome to the forum  :wave:
Like clydesdale I don't have experience of that sort of thing either but I have my doubts about it. Working a smallholding is hard work and even hader if you want to make it pay in some way. Adding to that is the need to repay a loan. 
Hopefully someone with the right sort of experience will be along shortly and be able to give a more positive view.

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: Rosemary on August 10, 2015, 10:59:18 am

Welcome! But no more positive. If you can rent, it means you don't have the capital outlay but of course it's never yours. And making a living is hard, even if you want to live simply. You can make a profit - but on a small scale, it's not a living. Track down a report commissioned by the Soil Association on making a living off ten acres.

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: Caroline1 on August 10, 2015, 11:26:55 am

Welcome to the forum. I also wanted to be much more self sufficient and bought a property with 3.5 acres last year (with a mortgage), I have to say though that the set up costs aren't small and if I wasn't working full time I wouldn't be able to afford the repayments/bills. Do you have any experience of life on a small holding, I don't so for me it is a huge learning curve as well (probably the reason I am not making any profit  :farmer:)

I really hope you find a way, but probably need to start small. My land feels huge at the moment and a lot to maintain and fence. When I was looking at my options, I noticed the council had a number of smallholdings that they rent out, that might be a way in?

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: Quirkygirl on August 10, 2015, 12:53:05 pm

Welcome and good lucky. I know like me everyone on here has their fingers and toes crossed for you, that you make your dream come true..
I'm in the same boat as you but looking for the rental side of things at this time. 

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: Happy91 on August 10, 2015, 06:38:13 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome :),     

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: devonlady on August 10, 2015, 07:13:37 pm

I hope your dreams come true but, as said unless you have vision and find a niche market AND work all the hours G od sends you will struggle, especially with a huge mortgage to pay.
Thirty years ago I had 40 acres (some of it mountain and strand) and, too thought I could make a living from it. Unfortunately I had no vision, so no niche market and just struggled along day to day but in the most beautiful place you could wish for.
I had no electricity, no mains water and I (and the children when old enough) worked every hour just to stay there.
Do I regret it.........not for a minute!!

Title: Re: Hi there
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 10, 2015, 11:59:59 pm

 :wave: and welcome from Shropshire. Just got back from a holiday in Norfolk.