Diversification

As British farms increasingly look to generate new income streams, Farmers Guide spoke to Gloucestershire farmer Rees Keene about how he juggles multiple diversifications including pumpkins, Christmas trees, a farm shop, catering and hosting events.

Farmers who run caravan, camping, and glamping sites have said the rise in agritourism is playing a vital role in educating people about where their food comes from.

A recent Irish study argues women in the farm sector have played a key role in the growth of agrotiurism by being more open to farm diversification and going beyond the “productivist” type of thinking in agriculture.

With low levels of activity in children and young people being a major health concern, two paediatric physiotherapists have teamed up with a Dorset farm park to create a new children’s book.

Following the launch of a consultation on whether to permanently extend permitted development rights (PDR), we spoke to Pitchup founder Dan Yates to find out what this could mean for British farmers who are hoping to diversify this summer.

The UK government has launched a consultation into permanently extending permitted development rights (PDR) for tent camping from 28 days to 60 days for farmers and landowners in England.

Farmers and landowners are being invited to a free event in Kent to learn more about rainwater harvesting and associated funding opportunities on Friday 3 March, at Marden Cricket and Hockey Club in Tonbridge.

Free-to-use diversification website The Business Barn is asking farmers and rural landowners to share their experiences.

From farm shops to wedding venues or forest bathing to event spaces, the options for starting a new land-based tourism business are endless.

Nearly 40% of farmers said they plan to increase diversification in the next five years, but many are waiting for details on farm support systems and assessing the implications of the cost-of-living crisis.

At an online event hosted by Trinity Global Farm Pioneers, expert speakers discussed how agroforestry and biodiversity can help drive agricultural production and explored the barriers to uptake among farmers. Henrietta Szathmary writes.

In uncertain times, Rural Asset Finance is seeing more and more farmers looking to diversify into green energy. While traditional banks which may balk at the idea of loaning money for new enterprises that have not been tried and tested, Rural Asset Finance explains an alternative funding option that is available to diversifying farmers.