Diversification News

Farmer Robert Moore made it his goal to leave his 356-hectare arable unit in a better state for the environment and wildlife than when he took it on in 1988. To do this, he has balanced sustainability and profitability in his approach to farming.

Some of the UK’s best pick your own farms have been shortlisted for the national Farm Retail Awards.

Farmers from all sectors who have invested in creating an additional income stream for their business are encouraged to enter Scotland’s ‘Diversified Farm of the Year 2023’ award, with the winner set to receive widespread recognition at the Scottish Agricultural Awards in October.

Responding to financial pressures facing the sector, Yorkshire pig producers Vicky, Rachel and Kate Morgan, diversified into holiday lets. Since their March launch they’ve received outstanding customer reviews and their new enterprise is fully booked until August. This is how they did it… 

Now there are easy ways to assess the potential of your farm for a range of future uses, explains Addland.

Farmers and landowners in England can now run pop-up campsites for up to 60 days per year without the need to apply for additional planning permission, which Pitchup.com said could offer a lifeline to struggling rural communities.

To support diversity and biodiversity on their Shropshire farm, Mark and Liz Lea planted a woodland in February this year, supported by the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods scheme.

You will almost certainly have heard some mention of Natural Capital (NC) by now as it has been the hot topic of the year so far for most of our landowner or farming clients. Through this article, Birketts explores what NC is, and also where you might expect to be able to obtain funding to support any NC projects you might have in mind.

A new funding package to boost the rural economy fails to mention the future of permitted development rights, a camping specialist has said.

Growers at a farm in Angus have developed an award-winning gin which reduces reliance on synthetic fertilisers and is grown, harvested, and distilled on site.

At the recent Farm to Fork Summit at No10 Downing Street, attended by Clarkson’s Farm stars Kaleb Cooper and ‘Cheerful’ Charlie Ireland, the Prime Minister set out ambitions to cut down red tape and make it easier for UK farmers to diversify their incomes, such as by converting farm buildings into shops or restaurants.

Biodiversity is an increasingly hot topic within the agricultural sector. Stuart Holm, arable farmer and outreach manager at the Woodland Trust, shares his approach to improving farm resilience and biodiversity on his land.