Starting a smallholding can seem like a daunting prospect but it’s also incredibly satisfying. Here are Humble by Nature Farmer Tim’s tips for things to think about when you’re starting out:
- Do your research and work out how much land you’ll need. DO you want to grow food and keep animals? Have you got suitable land for both?
- Make sure you understand the legal requirements involved in keeping animals: registering your land and getting your CPH number and tagging your stock.
- Think about why you want animals and look into what different breeds offer. Do you want pigs to provide meat or a small flock of sheep to handle grazing fields?
- Get some hands-on experience of looking after animals: lots of courses around now will give you this, including those at Humble by Nature.
- Always buy your animals from a reputable breeder or someone you know and make sure the breeds you want will suit your locality.
- Be prepared to be outside all year round in all weathers: invest in some good waterproofs, sturdy boots and a hat!
If you’re ready to take the plunge, take a look at our animal husbandry courses, including Sheep for Beginners, Pigs for Beginners, Sustainable Bee-Keeping and Smallholding.
