2022 Income Plans
The past year, for the most part, has been focused on setting up. I’ve begun my start-up sheep flock and goat herd. The pedigree gilts are here and growing by the day. Five species of ornamental pheasant have been added, quail and meat rabbits bred and I’ve expanded both the rare breed duck and chicken groups. Meanwhile the shed’s up, the polytunnel is up, compost bins are in and the first few market garden and flower farm beds have been rolled out. It’s been busy! No wonder I’m tired. But now I need to look to the future.
2022 will no longer be our test year. It’ll be Year 1 of ‘proper’ farming. I’m confident that I can make ends meet with the general running of the farm, though it may take additional savings to pay for expansion costs; extra polytunnels, fencing, field shelters etc. With the winter months ahead, I’m won’t be overly busy with the garden which means it’s jobs time, as well as the planning period. The latter is particularly important if I’m to actually turn a profit next year.
The majority of income next year will not be coming from the livestock. I largely keep animals because I enjoy being a stockman and want to put time into helping rare breeds. I fully believe that the Norfolk Horn flock, or the Silver Appleyard ducks, for example, can pay for themselves. But I’m unlike to sell a ram for tens of thousands any time soon. With that in mind I need to diversify, and am currently turning attention to the following options.
THE MARKET GARDEN CSA & PRODUCE MARKETS
The flower farm and market garden is my main priority when it comes to turning a profit on the farm, with an emphasis on the flowers. These are a luxury item and can turn more money than food. One of the my goals is to fund cheap, good quality food by selling bouquets, posies and more.
That being said, I think there is still money to be made by selling food through the honesty stall, the produce markets and my new CSA. I’m currently only supplying one market but have reached out to more ahead of next season. I’m hoping to rotate through different markets each week so that I can supply smaller community markets rather than the same place each week.
I’m also really hoping to start a CSA. These are not particularly common in the UK but they’re increasing in popularity. As you can see from my CSA page, I’m running a 20 week box scheme from May through to September, with boxes at £10. I’m actually finding the planning process for the CSA really helpful as it defines what I need to harvest and when; allowing me to establish when things need to be sown.
The honesty stand will continue and I’m working with someone locally to try and start up a REKO ring.
THE PUMPKIN PATCH
With the popularity of pumpkin patches, it seems silly not to set up something similar. Along with a flower bouquet bar, and perhaps some pick-your-own flowers, there’s a large patch that the pigs are currently rotivating where I’ll be putting a variety of pumpkins. I don’t want it to be just a muddy field with gourds laying about, however, so I’m planning on creating height with frames, trellising and arches to add something a little architectural and unusual.
GOAT PICNICS
I have my lovely herd of pedigree Anglo Nubians but I also have the five wethers that act as my Maintenance Crew. Though they’re ideal for eating back brambles and generally helping landscape the hedges (along with some escaping and eating freshly planted trees), I’ve also had some people interested in coming and spending time with them. After all, they’re goats. And everyone loves goats!
The goat picnics will take place up at The Lookout. Think goat yoga, but without the yoga and with sandwiches instead.
WILDLIFE TOURISM
I’m so thrilled with the wildlife on our farm. It really has become a beautifully diverse habitat, and with our rewilding plans I hope even more fantastic species will move in to join the likes of red kite, yellowhammer, grass snakes, hare, common lizards and more. And I want to share all this wonderfulness!
So the plan this winter is to set up a couple of wildlife hides that will allow both amateur and professional photographers to hire out the location to capture some stunning shots. I’m looking at offering rewilding tours, photography sessions and wildlife walks as well.
CAMPING SITE
The camp site worked really well this year. I took advantage of the governments extension to the camping scheme, allowing pop-up campsites to run for 56 days rather than 28. Popping in a track and a couple of portaloos was enough to have lots of lovely guests over the summer who paid to stay on the farm! At this time I’m hoping the government choose to extend the camping period; in which case, I’ll definitely run the campsite again in 2022.
So there’s a few ideas for making income in 2022. I’m excited to see them come to fruition, though there’s a lot of work to do this winter to get everything prepped and ready.
