Introduction to Smallholding Course - The Accidental Smallholder

A one day course on our 12 acre Angus smallholding aimed at those interested in getting started in smallholding but who are not quite sure where to start.

We started smallholding in 2000, with no previous experience. We now keep poultry for eggs and meat, pigs, sheep, cattle and bees in addition to growing fruit (soft and top) and vegetables – so we’ve been where you are.

Course overview

Using our smallholding as a living, working example, we’ll look at each of the enterprises in turn:

• Poultry for eggs and meat
• Cattle
• Sheep & lambs
• Pigs
• Vegetables, soft fruit and top fruit (orchard)
• Bees
• Selling produce
• Fencing
• Grassland management
• Tools and equipment

We will also spend some time in the classroom looking at the common enterprises we don’t have, like goats and camelids.

The course is intended to be a “warts and all” overview so that you can make an informed choice about whether smallholding is for you and if it is, what you might want to do with yours.

2022 Course dates

This course is running on these dates in 2022 – gift vouchers are available, please contact us for more details.

• Saturday 14th May, 9:30am to 5pm
• Saturday 4th June, 9:30am to 5pm
• Saturday 2nd July 9:30am to 5pm
• Saturday 6th August, 9:30am to 5pm

The course costs £95 per person including lunch. This is a small group course limited to 6 participants.

Course location

The course will be held on our smallholding in Barry, Angus. We are 8 miles north of Dundee, on the east coast of Scotland. There is plenty of car parking. We offer a pick-up service from Carnoustie Railway Station which has regular trains from the north and south.

Please contact us for details of overnight accommodation available nearby.

Booking

To book a place on the course please contact rosemary@accidentalsmallholder.net or call on 07986 451129.

Alternatively you can book online at the Dalmore Croft website.

Booking is essential as numbers are limited.