How to become a farmer (in the UK)?

Question

The Old Man tells me that when he was a lad, and worked on a local farm as a labourer in the holidays, that anyone wanting to set up a 'smallholding' could get a government grant.

It's the sort of thing I'd be interested in, so any idea if this scheme is still going? It was a long time ago, mind you!

Thanks.

Answer 1

Heaven help you if you try!

Ok, now to be more helpful... the chance of making a go of farming increases exponentialy when u target the right market, domestic lifestock should be discounted as a bad investment unless u have 500k in the bank to spend on stock and vet bill and dont mind seeing the whole herd slaughtered next time bse or foot en mouth pays a visit to blighty! small scale arable has a low return but lower costs while orchards are high maintinance but more dependable in the long run.

Note that half the farm land in the north of england (my home ground) is planted with connifers... ie the farmers get EU grants for NOT FARMING the land!

The gov offers small buisness grants to help u start up any company but they will turn white when u say you want to be a farmer,,,forget banks as well as they have forclosed on 30% of farms they have supported in the last 10 years.

Farming is hard work, high risk and not a good idea in the UK... if u are serious about this look overseas...the usa offers huge incentives to farm lifestock, NZ is still the best place to farm lamb and the french countryside is dotted with cheap land for smallholdings and has easy access to grants from the EU in brussels.

so, good luck and may god have mercy on your soul :-)

Answer 2

I think more and more farmers are trying to get out of the business these days, maybe you could do a Google search for government grants, good luck.

Answer 3

Open a Pharmacy...!!!