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Author Topic: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer  (Read 30904 times)

benkt

  • Joined Apr 2010
  • Cambridgeshire
    • Hempsals Community Farm
How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« on: February 25, 2011, 12:33:04 am »
I've been reading a very interesting paper this evening that was sent my way by the Soil Association called 'Small is Successful.
Its got eight case studies of profitable smallholding run from ten acres of less and some analysis of their methods and thought it might be of interest to some folk here.

http://www.ecologicalland.coop/sites/ecologicalland.coop/files/Small_is_Successful.pdf

Snippets of the recommendations in their conclusions:

* Keep set up costs low
* Add value by direct marketing and/or processing
* Supply local shops and restaurants
* Consider adding processing facilities.
* Avoid borrowing money
* Ten acres offers little space for economically viable livestock production, unless value is added to the product.

Lots of food for thought.

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2011, 12:47:27 am »
I think another necessity is to be young, full of energy and in good health  :)
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

bloomer

  • Joined Aug 2010
  • leslie, fife
  • i have chickens, sheep and opinions!!!
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2011, 07:37:41 am »
well im young enthusiastic and healthy

now where can i get 10 acres and some start up funds :-)

benkt

  • Joined Apr 2010
  • Cambridgeshire
    • Hempsals Community Farm
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2011, 08:51:18 am »
Ah yes, another quality bit from the 'executive summary':

"The most significant factor in creating viable low acreage livelihoods is the mental attitude and approach of those involved. This is a stronger determinant of success than acreage, aspect, soil conditions or expertise. This approach includes commitment, willingness to work long hours, patience, long-term perspective and creative, solution-focused thinking."

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2011, 09:03:32 am »
Ah, breakfast reading!

shetlandpaul

  • Joined Oct 2008
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2011, 09:42:41 am »
and good soil.

farmershort

  • Joined Nov 2010
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2011, 10:32:06 am »
another vote for being young, full of energy, but not having the funds to buy 10 acres!


Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2011, 11:34:46 am »
It's a perennial problem the world over I think.  By the time you have scraped together the wherewithal, you are past your prime, and it's up hill all the way after that. But only if you need to make a profit.  We get by by being fairly close to self sufficient in food, the projects pay for themsleves and we have to find enough to cover car, bills etc from other sources.  But our health has deteriorated (not because of being smallholders) so we don't have the spare energy to break our backs raising vegetables for younger and fitter folk who are too lazy to grow their own but still want to eat the best. Any spare energy goes into breeding and conserving the sheep, because we believe in what we are doing there, and not everyone can get hold of land to raise animals.  What we really regret is not having been living here when our children were young.  We make up for it a bit by having all our grandchildren over as often as we can, so hopefully they will get the bug, or at least pick-up the skills.
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

farmershort

  • Joined Nov 2010
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2011, 11:54:38 am »
indeed, fleecewife... it's that very sentiment that's meant we're holding off on any talk of kids until we get some land sorted.

hughesy

  • Joined Feb 2010
  • Anglesey
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #9 on: February 25, 2011, 12:24:20 pm »
Making a profit is one thing. Making a living is another thing entirely.

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #10 on: February 25, 2011, 01:25:40 pm »
It's an interesting read. The profits generated wouldn't touch our outgoings with our mortgage and other expenses. However, I do want Dalmore to provide for us and at least break even. It's not a hobby.

ellisr

  • Joined Sep 2009
  • Wales
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2011, 02:05:13 pm »
I would love to generate an extra income from my smallholding. I am going to start hatching again this year and I may even try to hatch some ducks. I was thinking of xmas turkeys and geese this year but it would have to be small scale to locals.

wanabee

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Carmarthenshire
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2011, 03:54:04 pm »
hi

The best way to make a small fortune in smallholding is start off with a big fortune! :D :D

Nina

  • Joined Sep 2010
  • North/Mid wales
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2011, 04:01:53 pm »
indeed, fleecewife... it's that very sentiment that's meant we're holding off on any talk of kids until we get some land sorted.

We did exactly the same, and our son was born almost exactly 9 months after we completed the purchase of our 10 acre smallholding!!!!!  :P

Rosemary

  • Joined Oct 2007
  • Barry, Angus, Scotland
    • The Accidental Smallholder
Re: How to make a profit on ten acres and fewer
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2011, 06:46:30 pm »
We did exactly the same, and our son was born almost exactly 9 months after we completed the purchase of our 10 acre smallholding!!!!!  :P

That must have been some celebration - we just exchange missives here  ;D

 

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