Farming. How easy to start with zero knowledge?
Discussion
Actually not quite zero as I spent a year doing practical experience on a mixed farm when I was 18. Plan then was to go to agricultural college and pursue a career in farming. For various reasons (mostly related to affairs of the heart) I didn't go and spent the next 35 years working in the family business in London, a career which couldn't have been further removed from the land.
I've decided I don't want to do it anymore and given that pensions aren't worth a light and neither is cash, thought about investing in a small farm, probably somewhere lending itself more to pasture than arable (and away from London's thrall). I'm mot looking to get rich, just to survive in an area of great beauty and balm for the soul. I wondered about the possibility of share farming where I, as landowner, might get a percentage of profit from activities conducted on my land (sheep, cows, goats etc.), or possibly just renting out the fields (though I imagine pasture doesn't earn a lot in rent).
This is probably all pie in the sky, certainly there are plenty of farmers giving it up as a bad job, but that year on the farm was the happiest of my life and feel it must be possible to make a go of it. Somehow.
Failing that I suppose there's always the dreaded holiday cottages...
I've decided I don't want to do it anymore and given that pensions aren't worth a light and neither is cash, thought about investing in a small farm, probably somewhere lending itself more to pasture than arable (and away from London's thrall). I'm mot looking to get rich, just to survive in an area of great beauty and balm for the soul. I wondered about the possibility of share farming where I, as landowner, might get a percentage of profit from activities conducted on my land (sheep, cows, goats etc.), or possibly just renting out the fields (though I imagine pasture doesn't earn a lot in rent).
This is probably all pie in the sky, certainly there are plenty of farmers giving it up as a bad job, but that year on the farm was the happiest of my life and feel it must be possible to make a go of it. Somehow.
Failing that I suppose there's always the dreaded holiday cottages...
Thank you all for your replies, even if it does not make for encouraging reading. I am not really surprised and it only confirms what, in my heart of hearts, I think I already knew. I am probably too romantic for my own good, with visions of a wild flower meadow and barn owls hunting in the night. Certainly I don't have such a large fortune that I can risk losing any of it.
As for that every day tale of farming folk... Since I was born at home on a weekday lunchtime, in a household in which the Home Service (as it was then) was on all the time, and having developed a possessive passion for R4 to the extent of having a radio in nearly every room, I suspect the Archers has become part of the fabric of my very being, sometimes when I don't want it to (still cross about Nigel Pargetter, and why do I dislike Schula more than Rob Titchener?). This may very well be the cause of my farming itch.
I think holiday cottages, on a few acres and with a meadow for 'scything classes', some chickens for eggs and bees for honey, might well be the way to go.
As for that every day tale of farming folk... Since I was born at home on a weekday lunchtime, in a household in which the Home Service (as it was then) was on all the time, and having developed a possessive passion for R4 to the extent of having a radio in nearly every room, I suspect the Archers has become part of the fabric of my very being, sometimes when I don't want it to (still cross about Nigel Pargetter, and why do I dislike Schula more than Rob Titchener?). This may very well be the cause of my farming itch.
I think holiday cottages, on a few acres and with a meadow for 'scything classes', some chickens for eggs and bees for honey, might well be the way to go.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
I can put you in touch with someone who did exactly that a few years ago.
He's an ex city trader, sold up in London and bought a large farm in the country. Started with zero agri knowledge, but being switched-on, decided that he could learn. He did learn, but it looks like hard work. I think I remember he said he just broke even financially on year three.
That said, it is idyllic. He has a lovely wife who is equally happy to graft, and three great children who love the life. Seeing them enjoying having such a huge playground, and being responsible enough to enjoy the farm machinery and associated quad bikes and Land Rovers gladdens a PH'er heart too
they all look really happy, but it is graft with early starts and late nights - or sometimes no nights at all!
PM me and I'll ask him if I can give you his number. Lovely chap, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you.
Thanks Ray. PM sent. Haven't given up on the idea entirely yet!He's an ex city trader, sold up in London and bought a large farm in the country. Started with zero agri knowledge, but being switched-on, decided that he could learn. He did learn, but it looks like hard work. I think I remember he said he just broke even financially on year three.
That said, it is idyllic. He has a lovely wife who is equally happy to graft, and three great children who love the life. Seeing them enjoying having such a huge playground, and being responsible enough to enjoy the farm machinery and associated quad bikes and Land Rovers gladdens a PH'er heart too
they all look really happy, but it is graft with early starts and late nights - or sometimes no nights at all!PM me and I'll ask him if I can give you his number. Lovely chap, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you.
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