Author Topic: Experience wanted (Read 3800 times)

fawcettpark · « **on:** October 21, 2013, 09:01:25 am »

I am hoping someone will be able to help, or point me in the right direction. I would like some experience of working on a smallholding ( before hopefully getting something myself)
I have been on courses, chickens, bees etc. and do what little I can in my small garden.
Restricted to location , would like something close enough to home North of Lancaster- Lancashire or Cumbria border area.
Any advice appreciated.

Garvie · « **Reply #1 on:** October 21, 2013, 10:08:17 am »

what about approaching a local farmer for lambing/calving experience, thats what i did, went down and asked him if i could work with him and that i wasnt looking for money(which i think swung it for me) although he did pay me but the fact i was keen helped me a lot,

fawcettpark · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2013, 10:53:50 am »

Thanks Garvie, how did you approach the farmers was it just a case of going up to the farm or did you know them already .....

Greenerlife · « **Reply #3 on:** October 21, 2013, 11:39:06 am »

How about woofing?

www.wwoof.org.uk

Garvie · « **Reply #4 on:** October 21, 2013, 11:39:35 am »

i just went down to the farm, saw they had the ewes in the shed so i popped in.At that time of year their always looking for help if they have a big flock, if they dont gives them a chance to catch up on sleep if its only themself

Backinwellies · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2013, 05:05:06 pm »

Check out HELPX website for possible opportunities.

Local farmers may be happy of help ... or maybe ask at local agricultural college for any local farmers to approach.

Put an ask on here ...... but title thread with location

Garvie · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2013, 05:22:45 pm »

check in your local papers as well specially if they have an agri section

tizaala · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2013, 06:44:21 pm »

Check with your local agri college for any short general courses , some do smallholder stuff.

fawcettpark · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2013, 03:58:15 pm »

Thanks for all your suggestions.
I have already looked at woofing and there wasn't much in my area, but it was a while back, I will have another look as it seems to have more on now.
I will check the rest out and hopefully something will come up.

scruffbag · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2013, 09:56:10 pm »

What about farm parks? they are very similar to small holdings in general, lots of different animals and a few of each. Good learning environment, and most will take work experience.

Garvie · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2013, 10:05:39 pm »

or small petting zoos or is that same thing?

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 26, 2013, 05:21:28 pm »

Don't want to sound pushy but anyone staying in our farm holiday cottage can spend a morning getting an overview of whatever they're interested in on our small farm. We have sheep, pigs, large, soft-feathered fowl and turkeys. All are rare or traditional breeds. Things have grown from very small beginnings to a point where we do calf-rearing in the empty lambing shed for 8 months of the year, sell store lambs, pedigree breeding stock and do ram hire, sell weaners, growers, in-pig gilts and do boar hire, sell hatching eggs, poults and chicks, growers and breeding stock. We sell eggs from the farm gate and are looking at direct sales of lamb and pork. We try to be as self-sufficient as possible and work around the farm wildlife.