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Advice For Running A Minor Smallholding

In an effort to become a little more sustainable and self-sufficient, as well as wanting to learn new skills and spend more time in nature, more and more families with large gardens or a little land to play with are considering the utility of running a smallholding. Smallholdings are similar to farms but on a much smaller scale, often run with a small amount of farm animals, cultivating a little produce that they’ll likely keep for personal use or sell in small quantities. It is considered a labor of love and a thoroughly rewarding one at that.

Perhaps you feel that bringing a couple of pigs, a few chickens and maybe even a couple of sheep could be a good use of your time, giving you the chance to satiate the full extent of your move to the country. This is more than fine, as many people do it. One thing to remember, however, is that as this is technically a very small non-profit farm enterprise, you need to make sure you follow a few essential insights. In this guide, we’ll discuss that and more.

Make Friends With The Local Farmers

Local farmers are generally more than happy to help out with smallholdings, because you may both serve as a positive relationship in the community and perform favors for one another when necessary. For instance, you may have some Gloucester Old Spots ready to sell, and a farmer may be happy to take them from you. If you pay them, they may even help shear your sheep, or you may buy a little land of them to expand your property borders. Regardless of the specifics, local farmers tend to look quite fondly on smallholdings, and will usually be more than happy to remain on good terms with you. Their expertise is second to none.

Purchase The Necessary Equipment

The best equipment is necessary for smallholdings, because you will be inspected and it’s important to make sure capable conditions are being given to the animals you bring on-site. For instance, a clean and spacious mobile chicken coop can serve as a fantastic home for the chickens in your back garden, while also remaining easy to clean and access the eggs each morning. The same principles apply to horse stables, and trailers you carry your animals in.

Reinforce Your Borders

It’s good for us to reinforce our garden borders once in a while, because it protects our property limits, particularly in rural spaces where public footpaths and other open fields may give way to your property. Proper borders, like appropriate fences with structural strength, can prevent your smallholding farm animals from escaping. Clipped chickens will be unable to fly over the fences, sheep won’t have the structural strength to knock them down, and your pigs will be too small in stature to mount them. Of course, it’s important to make sure they’re continuously cared for in order to enjoy the best results.

With this advice, you’re certain to run a minor smallholding in the best way.

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