| Forums > Smallholding & Downshifting - General > My wonderful idea (i think) |
|||||
|
> 1 < |
|||||
| danderson Level:New Forumer | Posted: 28-02-2010 21:09 GMT - #151988 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
What I Do: WebLog: |
Hi I've been hanging around on the site for a few years now, often popping by to slowly turn green with envy. Anyway, I've had an idea and wanted to get some feedback before i get too enthusiastic. My idea has to be taken in context of where i am now and where i want to be. At the moment i work full time in telecommunications (IT side), with all the usual financial commitments. I'd love to be debt free, with 15 acres and a small income - obviously there is a massive gulf between the two. And with commitments i have, it will be a long time coming. Anyway (i do tend to ramble), I was looking around for an acre or so to rent. This is probably a manageable amount for me to fit in around my day to day work, kids etc but to date I've not found anything close enough (i live in north Hampshire). I have however found a plot for rent around 10 acres, with a large barn and small out building. Now, the idea (i don't know if anyone else does this or not). Is to rent the larger plot of land (can't afford it my self) between a group of like minded individuals. Now having done some number crunching, and looking at the costs of live stock, feed, rent, etc. i have an idea of how much it would cost on an ongoing basis - hopefully it could even generate an income to reduce that amount. Has anyone else come across this type of thing before (guess it's a co-op of sorts), if so can you please point me in their direction, would anyone be interested in such an enterprise? (i really can't do this by my self), and if so, how much would you expect to be able to commit / pay ongoing (either up front, or monthly dd type thing), i have some figures worked out, but don't want to bias anyone's views - ill share my figures once in get a little feedback - if any. Please don't shoot me down too fast, but balanced views either way would be welcome. Cheers .................. |
||||
|
|
|||||
| cathouse Level:ACL Member | Posted: 28-02-2010 21:19 GMT - #151990 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
charente What I Do: horticulturalist WebLog: |
Sounds like a good idea if you can find enough people to make it work. Good Luck. .................. |
||||
|
|
|||||
| frankbeswick Level:ACL Member | Posted: 28-02-2010 22:36 GMT - #151994 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
Stretford What I Do: writer/lecturer WebLog: |
It sounds like a winner. The only reason that I will not be willing to go in with you is that I live two hundred miles away, but I reckon that there will be people who will be very interested. There will be problems of people dropping out or not paying their share, but they can be replaced. However, a fair share would be to divide the costs by the number of people participating. Good luck. .................. Francis Beswick |
||||
|
|
|||||
| Katie Level:ACL Member | Posted: 01-03-2010 09:42 GMT - #151999 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
worcs What I Do: smallholder WebLog: Website:  |
It sounds like a major hassle to me. I think you would spend all your time administrating, chasing up payments, finding new members etc etc. If growing/smallholding is what you want to do I would approach it from a different angle. Look out for overgrown bits of field, maybe a corner piece which isn't big enough to get a combine in. Find out who owns it by talking to locals or from the land registry and take it from there. Practise farming, growing etc on that (or share an old person's garden they can't manage) and save like mad. Move from Hampshire to somewhere cheaper in a few year's time and buy your patch. You can start farming now in your back garden or an allotment while you find your own bit! Sorry, I don't mean to be negative. We spent 6 years looking for land and considered every option. We've finally found a good bit but not without a great deal of trying! .................. "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans". |
||||
|
|
|||||
| hardimap Level:ACL Member | Posted: 01-03-2010 10:14 GMT - #152001 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
Swindon What I Do: WebLog: |
Suppose it depends on how many people you will need to make it cost effective. Also would the space be divided into equal spaces or would it depend on how much someone would want and can afford etc. I agree I think it could be a major admin issue, but if it?s something you are willing to take on then go for it. How would the livestock work out, i.e. would you have a holders number for the whole land (i.e. so you are responsible for all the animals on the land) or would each person be responsible for their own (not sure how this works as I have no land myself). What about other rental costs (i.e. water if mains fed), if you are the main person renting the land you will also be the person responsible for all the bills. Might be worth getting a deposit off of each person (say an extra months rent) so if they fail to pay (or damage their section of land) you have some ?money in the bank? to pay for the shortfall until such time as they pay or put right the damage etc However im not sure how many people will be willing to do this. But I guess if you have done the number crunching you would have this covered already  .................. |
||||
|
|
|||||
| Spinningjenny Level:ACL Member | Posted: 01-03-2010 14:13 GMT - #152004 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
Lincolnshire What I Do: Smallholder WebLog: Website: |
I think it would be a lovely idea but I agree with the other posters about admin etc. I can help thinking that the fewer of you to share the plot the easier it would be for you. Not sure how the holding numbers would work so you would need to get in touch with Defra. If people were to fence off sections, erect greenhouses, sheds etc and dumped piles of 'useful' things then left, you would have to sort it out as you were responsible. If people have inadequate fencing and their livestock get out into you plot then there could be a problem. On the positive side ( I don't give up easily) if you could share maybe with one other family and say get a pair of weaners, some sheep etc and share the cost and responsibility (and lovely meat) it could work really well as you could work a rota for feeding/checking/putting hens away and have cover if either of you are ill or need to go away. |I think it is really nice to share the experience and have someone to talk to about it and often two heads are better than one and it is fun to learn with someone else too. You could purchase / hire a trailer/equipment and everything can be shared. I think it could be really good and for my money that is what I would do. I look forward to your thoughts now that you have read the other posts all with very valid points to consider. But don't give up! .................. |
||||
|
|
|||||
| frankbeswick Level:ACL Member | Posted: 01-03-2010 15:56 GMT - #152008 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
Stretford What I Do: writer/lecturer WebLog: |
A farmer near Belfast rented out one of his fields as allotments, and he quickly let every plot. Apparently, it was so successful that he rented another out. Of course, in Northern Ireland land is hard to come by, but I imagine that you would get takers. Ask Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall at River vottage. He has a scheme for finding and sharing land. .................. Francis Beswick |
||||
|
|
|||||
| RichardH Level:ACL Member | Posted: 02-03-2010 20:23 GMT - #152014 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
Bexley, Kent What I Do: hang on tightly WebLog: |
Quote Better still ask H.F.W. at River Cottage  .................. The difference between you having a try and triumph is a bit of umph |
||||
|
|
|||||
| paullewis Level:ACL Member | Posted: 18-05-2010 23:42 GMT - #152401 | Report
Post to a Moderator - Split |
|||
Peterborough What I Do: defender of the free world WebLog: |
I for one think it's a fantastic idea, and if I lived closer, would def want to chat over things with you!! I say go for it, however I do agree that the least number of sharers the better, as you could have a few head aches along the way!! .................. Remember no matter how much or how little you have it's what you do with it that counts! |
||||
|
|
|||||
|
> 1 < |
|||||
- All Rights Reserved, E&OE