Farming in the UK?

Question

I am 21, currently a University undergrad studying something completely unrelated to farming- however, I've recently discovered an interest in farming and would like to know if I'd be suited to it as a career.

What would be the best way to find out? I'm a bit worried about just approaching a farm as, at 21 and with no experience of farm life, I might be seen as a bit of a hobbyist rather than someone who sees it as a genuine career option?

What is my best option, in your opinoin? I'd love to work my way up to having my own smallholding but am unsure how to go about it- any ideas?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I work with people from farming backgrounds and my advice to you would be to get some addresses of local farms and write to these people, explaining what you've explained up there and that you'd love to volunteer to help out for a bit to see if you like it. Most farmers would jump at the chance for free help, so why not!

Best of luck, I think it sounds like hard work, but a lovely way to earn a living. I'm sure you'll be very happy doing it. As for getting your own small holding contact your local land agents/chartered surveyors who can point you in the right direction if they don't have anything themselves!

Answer 2

Wow, this isn't something you hear everyday! Don't take this lightly buddy farming is one hell of a rough ride and yes you will smell of all animals poo, get wet and cold and face the prospect of a poor social life. HOWEVER on the flip-side farming gets the blood and sweat pumping and will likely turn you into a tough guy if you perservere furthermore you can join Young farmers clubs which do discos etc and are one hell of a laugh. Farming has had its day (not now) and the people who remain doing it are hard core and dedicated and SOME do it for the love of it, there is no money in farming nowadays.

The best thing to do is get part time work (find out what sort of farming you want to do eg sheep farming, probably best) then maybe enlist at the nearest agricultural college to get your education. College can be fun as well. Or if you manage to get a full time job make sure your join the nearest young farmers club for social interaction of other people it helps and can be good fun.

Answer 3

Listen to "The Archers" on Radio 4 for six months. If that doesn't put you off for life, you will need to go to Agricultural College, to study farming. Sorry, but the days when farmers hired a "know nothing" labourer and let him learn on the job are as far in the past as the Ox driven plough! (Oh, except for seasonal jobs like strawberry picking, which lasts about 6 weeks during which time you're too busy picking strawberries to learn anything on the job.). Alternatively if your parents are seriously rich, they can buy you a farm, and bail you out while you learn "on the job", but even for a smallish 500 acre farm expect to pay between £1 and £10 million, depending on location and quality of land!

Answer 4

Well get some experience during the summer and better still at lambing time when you are up to your ears in muck and frost, Then wait three months and see how little you get at the mart for all your hard work but, thousands love it so if that's your gig then away ya go. Good luck with the venture and by the way dont forget to win the lotto first so you can buy your farm in the first place.

Answer 5

Well you need to know how a farm works first. You invest your money in your crops and animals and just like any investment there is alot to go wrong...

Its hard work and you will need to employ workers who will basically work there own way especially if you cant really tell them how to do a particular job which may be frustrating...

But coming from a Farming area i can tell you that its a good way to live, look into the monetary aspects before you decide anything as it is hard to make a buck these days.

Answer 6

To get an unbiased insight you should contact your local acricultural college and talk over your options. You may be able to work your way into farming on a part-time basis (many farmers have two jobs) until you see what suits.This way, you can avoid some of the worst aspects of the job. Don't be put off by all this macho sh*t. Lots of jobs involve manual labour and long hours. If this is your dream, chase it!!!!

Answer 7

I know someone in Cornwall whose father gave up commuting and moved down from Surrey to become a farmer. He enjoys the life, and it's brilliant for his kids, but he only makes a go of it financially by doing accommodation, schools' farm visits, hosting conferences etc. So, it's possible. The Agricultural College thing sounds a good bet - even farmers' sons go there to learn - but could you help out on a farm too? There's no substitute for experience. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

i wouldnt waste your time , unless you have grown up in a farm you will only get a job as a labouror, pay is poor , hours are poor, you will smell of cow poo, work in poor condictions

the only people who work on farms nowadays are polish immigrants

no offence meant to any one but farming is dying out hundreds of farms close every month in the uk.

on the other hand

a quick way to get your dream farm:

find a farm that has no sons to leave the farm too but has a daughter, marry the daughter, couple of years down the line u got a farm

this is probably the only way you would ever make any money at farming lol

Answer 9

You will need to apply to farms to try and get employment as a farm labourer. If you enjoy the work you can then think about going to agricultural college, their is an excellent one in Hampshire: it is Hampshire College of Agriculture at Sparsholt. Give them a call they will gladly discuss all options with you. I can vouch for the fact that they will be helpful having been a student there myself. Their telephone number is:01962 776441. It is a great way of life but very hard work with plenty of early mornings and long hours. It is very demanding in the winter as you must be able to endure the cold and wet.

Answer 10

There are a few agricultural colleges about, eg there is Myerscough College in Lancashire. They offer numerous courses for people interested in anything from horticulture to farming to floristry... Myerscough holds open days and I know it encourages interested people of all ages (and abilities) to come stay for about 4 days to "try out" something to see if its for them. Its a great place with courses for people of beginners/degree standard. I believe they also have places at Liverpool and possibly Blackpool. Look it up on the internet. Its just what you're looking for. PS no, I don't go there, but I've seen it often enough.