2 Getting started
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December 2012
GETTING STARTED
Smallholding for all
Welcome to our free guide on how to get started with a smallholding. Your essential guide to becoming self sufficient.
What is a smallholder?
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he dictionary definition is that it is a plot of land smaller than a small farm. Wikipedia also agrees saying that “A smallholding is a farm of small size”. A smallholding is a piece of land and its adjacent living quarters for the smallholder and stabling for farm animals, on a smaller scale than that of a farm but larger than an allotment, usually under 50 acres (0.20 km2). It is often established for the breeding of farm animals on an organic basis on free-range pastures. Alternatively, the smallholder may concentrate on the growing of vegetables by various traditional methods or in a more modern way using plastic covers, polytunneling or cloches for quick growth. Generally, a smallholding offers its owner a means of achieving self-sufficiency as to his and his family’s own needs which he may be able to supplement by selling surplus produce at a
farmers market and/or temporary booths or more permanent shop facilities are often part of a smallholding. I’d like to pick up on the last paragraph – a means of achieving self-sufficiency. In reality I think this is more likely to be partial self-sufficiency and this can be achieved both in ‘The facts as they stand are sufficiently indicative of the greater productive possibilities of small than large holdings’ Practical smallholder in the 1930s
Contacts:
n Compiled and written by Liz Wright. Email: liz.wright@smallholder.co.uk. n Production and design: Claire Cameron Email: claire.cameron@packetseries.co.uk. n Advertising: Susan Foley. Email: susan.foley@smallholder.co.uk. n Smallholder Subscriptions: Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs, PE10 9PH. Tel: 01778 392011. Fax: 01778 421706 E-mail: subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk n Visit Smallholder online at smallholder.co.uk, Facebook or follow us on Twitter at SmallholderMag
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town and country leading to the modern idea of “smallholding in the town”. It’s a long tradtion. In 1910, the first year of the Smallholder magazine, a reader wrote in from the town saying he had two hens and a small veg plot and was he now a smallholder? The editor replied saying he was “well on his way”. That’s over a hundred years ago and we are now returning to the idea that we can produce some of our food even in limited areas and not necessarily living in the countryside. n
View the Smallholder website on your mobile n Scan this QR Code with your 3G smartphone for a direct link to the Smallholder website so that you never miss the latest news updates. Getting started 3
4 Getting started
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GETTING STARTED farm or renting land may all help to achieve our dream of selfsufficiency without actually moving. In many cases moving is not possible for a variety of reasons. Like the fat girls who are going to do so much when they are slim, don’t wait, don’t wait. Do it now, where you live. Time goes too fast to put dreams on hold, make them a reality. If you decide to move later on, then the big plus point is that you have acquired so many new skills that the transition to a smallholding will be easy.
What is the most important thing you want to achieve?
Be brutally honest. It might be comparatively small ambition
such as collecting a fresh, warm egg every day and that might satisfy your desires or that might lead to other things. Or you might want to take the plunge and be almost totally self-supporting, if not immediately then in the future. Both are quite possible.
granted – get your partner or friends to list your skills, you will be surprised at what you have. What skills do you have in your job? Are you good at IT, networking or promotion – all useful skills if you decide to run a small business?
What skills do you have?
What’s your natural personality?
Again be honest. If you are a competent mechanic then your self-sufficiency may well involve more machinery in its approach. Perhaps you are a talented cook – consider not only that you will be able to use skills to preserve food but also perhaps to add value to produce at Farmer’s Markets. So often we overlook the things we are really good at because we take them for
Are you outgoing? In which case barter, trading and perhaps having people to your smallholding will work well for you, or does the thought of never having to see anyone again fill you with joy in which case marketing might have to be done strictly via the internet while you talk to your poultry.
Are you squeamish?
If so don’t have breeding animals! If you are not sure then go on a hands-on course first to see how you cope with birth, life and death.
What do you really feel about killing for food?
If you really hate the idea then why not just major on vegetables and crafts? There is no rule that says all selfsufficiency must be exactly the same, you need to make it work for you. Hens don’t need a cockerel and hybrid hens don’t raise chicks so no possibility of unwanted cockerels. On the other hand it is extremely irritating when friends ask you how you can bear eat animals you have raised when you know that this way you can be absolutely sure they have had a good life. 6 Getting started
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December 2012
GETTING STARTED How’s your health?
Although there are health benefits to being outside and taking more exercise to say nothing of eating all the lovely fresh food you produce, selfsufficiency is hard work so just be careful about what you take on. If you have any health issues, choose less demanding projects – deep beds will help anyone with back problems for example while sheep, though all requiring some physical effort, do come in different sizes. If you suffer with any physical problems it might help to choose smaller and/or more docile breeds for easier management just from the point of view of weight alone when turning over to trim feet or crutching out. It’s all about working with nature. n
Top Tip – Join the club: n There are smallholding clubs up and down the country that welcome new members. You can gain experience at someone else’s smallholding even if you don’t yet have land and decide what appeals to you. Smallholder magazine has a smallholder club page every month.
Reasons for taking the first steps on the road to self-sufficiency: n To ensure that your food is fully traceable. n Food Security – once a phrase only heard in developing countries is now of concern to each and everyone of us. n To reduce the costs of the household food budget especially by growing the more unusual vegetables and salad leaves that are expensive in the supermarket. n To reduce food miles - you can't get much less than from garden to kitchen. December 2012
n To reduce our carbon footprint by producing locally, ecologically and effectively. n To prepare for a future where energy might be scarce and expensive. n To take control of the animal welfare methods involved in food production n To get the freshest taste – much has been argued about whether home produced food really tastes better but everyone who grows their own agrees it certainly does. n To educate younger family smallholder.co.uk
members in where food really comes from. n For healthy outdoor exercise that produces more than just a sweat. n To reconnect with the land and with our past. n To fully appreciate the effort, skill and knowledge put into producing food. n To be able to make choices about what you eat. n To meet other people of like mind and swop ideas and experiences and make friends. Getting started 7
GETTING STARTED
The small farm Brings even more opportunities for crops, livestock and diversifications
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gain there is no size that makes a farm either productive or classified as small. But generally a small farm would be up to around 100 acres but perhaps in selfsufficiency terms more like up to 25 acres. It would be a mixed and integrated farm where livestock was managed to benefit the soil with manure being part of the soil fertility
and where conservation in the form of management of hedges, woods, ponds and other natural resources would be a priority. They may also provide something towards the self-supporting household such as heating (sustainable forestry), foraging for food but also provide income in the form of leisure activities such as fishing or opening up
Machinery
ALTHOUGH machinery certainly will help in the smallholding and market garden, once you get over a few acres it becomes an essential. What will you need, should you buy new or used and how much machinery knowledge do you have are all questions you will need to ask. Can you hire in specialist machinery, use contractors or share with neighbours to keep down costs? You will need to think in terms of some basic kit such as a tractor capable of using implements, a trailer and probably a roller and harrow at the very least and know how to use them effectively and safely. n If you buy and use machinery, is there a market locally for some contracting work (remember to check out the necessary insurances and licences). Many farmers also double as contractors from such things as basic paddock maintenance for horse owners to livestock tasks such as foot trimming, shearing or worming. n Investment in a compact tractor is an important part of your budget as is an ATV. Visit a dealer who specialises in these and can offer advice and support at the time of purchase and for the future. 8 Getting started
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K u
GETTING STARTED
What can I grow? Size matters – we begin with the micro holding and work upwards...
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ith no outside land available and perhaps living in a high rise apartment, the options might seem limited, but in reality there are plenty of things that can be done. Take a long look at your space and consider the hot spots, the shady spots and any unique features such as a balcony or access to a roof garden. Consider indoor space as well as outdoor space. Tomatoes cannot tell the difference between a sunny windowsill and a greenhouse – it’s only humans that categorise. Even small fruit
10 Getting started
trees will grow happily inside. Sprouting seeds have moved on considerably in the last few years, have a high nutritional value and can be ready within five days. Don’t ignore the kitchen area – that can be used for preserving, bread making
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and yoghurt and even cheese making and can cook cheaper cuts of meat just as well as any farmhouse kitchen. Your wormery and compost maker are likely to be in here as well. Indoor mushrooms are another possibility.
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GETTING STARTED The house and small garden
All of the above options plus a patio or garden where you can grow a much wider range of fruit and veg, maybe even incorporate a small greenhouse and a poultry house with suitable breed for the space. Quail are particularly suitable for small areas. If you are keeping any form of livestock such as poultry or rabbits, they will have to be kept scrupulously clean to avoid vermin and protected from the fox, who lives in urban areas as happily, if not more so, than in the country. Storage for feed and disposal of soiled bedding will need to be considered – composting may be the answer but again this must be done whilst considering the need to deter vermin. Containers for crops have improved dramatically during the last ten years but it is quite
possible to make your own as well. Points to consider are whether crops are deep or shallow rooted and accommodate them accordingly and if they need protection from birds such as netting. The raised bed starts to come into its own, allowing control of the soil fertility and being versatile but there is a strong case too for being able to sow directly into the ground as some crops do better this way. Herbs on outdoor windowsills also do very well. One tip though, when
planning fruit trees do think about pollination issues. Some fruit trees need another tree nearby for pollination and even those that are self-fertile often do better with another source of pollen available. Think too about planting some bee and insect friendly plants to encourage these insects into your garden for pollination of all your plants. Other measures such as artificial and natural habitats for over wintering insects in strategically placed areas will also help beneficial bugs and as a spin off, urban bird life. n
The allotment and community garden THE demand for allotments has never been higher with waiting lists in many areas and some “allotments” being offered privately. In allotments, each plot is rented to an individual but while community gardens might contain individual plots within them, they are more focussed on a community working together to produce food, flowers, fruit, a green area or a combination of all of these. They make provision for disabled participants and tend to be in the more urban areas.
Questions to ask yourself before taking an allotment are:
n How much time can I realistically spend on the plot? n Therefore what size do I want to rent and if
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only large sized plots are available, can I find someone to share with? n How far is the plot from my house and will I be able to walk/cycle or do I have to drive or take public transport? How will I transport tools and equipment to the plot? n Are there safe and secure sheds on the allotment or will I have to transport everything I need every time I go to do some work? n Study the rules and regulations for the allotments – some let you keep livestock while others expressly forbid it, some have a strong “green” policy as regards using pesticides and fungicides, some even have rules regarding taking dogs or children. n What do you want to grow and will the plot rules allow you to do so? Some will not allow fruit trees as they are too permanent for example.
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Getting started 11
GETTING STARTED The large garden
Having a large garden with no near neighbours brings a whole new perspective on what you can do to produce food. These offer many opportunities for selfsufficiency and some ideas for a small business as well. n Top of the list is the polytunnel. Just be careful because this does require planning in many areas. Your polytunnel will give you the ability to produce a wide range of crops for your family plus surplus to sell. Specialist enterprises include bedding plants, hanging baskets and cut flowers. The polytunnel will provide some income as well as produce. n The greenhouse can be a larger size and give capacity to
12 Getting started
sow a variety of crops earlier and get a good start plus also grow on fruit and vegetables. n The garden can include a small orchard of top fruits and a soft fruit bed which can be used in the house, to sell as surplus and to preserve. n The vegetable garden can be expanded to produce on a
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larger scale – asparagus is a good cash crop for the spring with strawberries providing some income in the summer. n An increased herb bed with possibilities of drying surplus. n Compost can be made on a wider scale from more materials. n Rainwater collection and use of grey water can be expanded. n
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Fancy some fowl?
GETTING STARTED
Poultry is said to be the fastest growing hobby. But what is right for you asks Smallholder magazine editor Liz Wright
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he term ‘poultry’ covers a range of birds and includes not only chickens, including large fowl and bantams, but also ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, ornamental pheasants and wild fowl. So there most definitely is a choice to be made. What you choose is of course, mainly down to what you fancy but there are some practical considerations to take into account. Ducks and geese are water birds and although the lighter domestic varieties, such as the fascinating Indian Runner Duck, may not require much more water than a large supermarket paddling pool, where they can dip their heads and sit, they do all require some sort of water. Water plus duck equals rather messy so a suburban garden would not be a good choice here. Guinea Fowl require considerable room and are very noisy so no near neighbours are advised. Turkeys are more adaptable than perhaps many people imagine but are large birds and as such, require exercising room. Recently I was asked how many fowl could be kept in a large back garden and that did frighten me as I could imagine a poultry sick garden with different breeds fighting or worse still, too many muddy pens. The question to ask is, what do I December 2012
want them for and if eggs, how many eggs do I want a week? Or even, how few can I manage to keep as less really is more in most situations – especially when you first begin. The higher the number of livestock in a given area, the higher your management standards must be so start small and grow slowly is my advice.
What to choose
Chickens are relatively straightforward and come in large fowl, bantam and miniature. Most people will think of miniature as bantams but to be absolutely correct, a bantam is a bird where there is no large fowl equivalent, such as the Dutch Bantam, a stylish bird, the outrageously flamboyant Belgian Bantam and maybe the better known Japanese Bantam. These smallholder.co.uk
are known as ‘true bantams’. A miniature is where there is a large fowl equivalent and there are many of these, some very well known. The Silkie, though often thought of as a bantam, does have a large fowl version, the Rhode Island Red, the Sussex and the Wyandotte all have miniature (bantam) counterparts. If it is eggs alone or meat alone that interests you then you should look at the hybrid chickens such as the Black Rock, the Ranger or the Bluebell for eggs and specific breeds for meat poultry depending on your rearing programme. Some people seem to think that you should keep purebred poultry for eggs and meat and of course some breeds do perform well in these areas but the hybrids, developed from selected strains of pure bred poultry, do out perform any pure breeds for these functions. I keep both and we rely on the hybrids for our eggs and egg sales but we do also get eggs from our pure breeds and cockerels from the pure breeds end up in the pot unless required for breeding. There are a number of poultry breeds and strains which are rarer than others and these tend to be the larger breeds as they require more space and more management. You can find out more about these from the Rare Poultry Society and the Rare Breed Survival Trust. Getting started 13
14 Getting started
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GETTING STARTED How much space?
You need an area to keep the birds which can be a very small garden to an orchard and, if you select the right breed for your circumstances, you will not have a problem. You will need good housing and again, select your breed to your housing or your housing to your breed. Really large fowl will not be happy in many arks as they tend to be designed more for bantams or hybrids (who are quite relatively small in stature compared with pure bred large fowl). The Jersey Giants, the Buff Orpingtons, the Brahmas and the Cochins are large and need more space and dry outdoor area (they have bigger feet for paddling mud). If you are confining the
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birds to a run, you will need an alternative run for when the ground becomes ‘fowl sick’. You can then shut off this run, lime it and dig it and let the hens into your fresh run. Alternatively make the house and run moveable. n
Contact:
n The Poultry Club, Keeper’s Cottage, 40 Benvarden Road, Dervock, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, BT53 6NN. Telephone: 02820 741056 Website: www.poultryclub.org n Rare Breed Survival Trust, NAC, Stoneleigh Park, Warks, CV8 2LZ. Website: www.rbst.org.uk
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16 Getting started
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December 2012
GETTING STARTED
Selling a range of poultry Family firm offers hatching eggs with more than 50 listings on their website
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oster’s Poultry is a small, family run business in Quedgeley Gloucestershire. The firm was established in 1997 and sells a wide range of poultry. Located three miles from junction 12 of the M5, the smallholding and website fertilehatchingeggs.com are now a combined business. The website offers hatching eggs to the UK and EU countries, with more than 50 listings on its site. All parent stock birds are kept on the smallholding. The
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eggs are less than threedays-old when posted or are available for collection by appointment. Fertility is tested by hatching spare eggs. These are available as day old chicks for customers to purchase on a regular basis which have been Mareks vaccinated by Foster’s Poultry. A friendly welcome awaits customers who would like to purchase day old poultry, up to point of lay and any age between, of all the birds listed in the advert. n
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n A mottled leghorn cockerel
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GETTING STARTED
Comprehensive feed range Feeds for the hobby farmer and smallholders at John Loader (Wessex) Ltd
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ohn Loader (Wessex) Ltd has been manufacturing Badminton Country Feeds at its Fordingbridge mill in the New Forest for more than 13 years. It produces a comprehensive range for the hobby farmer and smallholder. The feeds are carefully formulated to provide optimum nutrition for ruminants and camelids and all contain fully traceable, non-GM ingredients, with no medications, growth promoters or animal proteins. Cereals are all carefully cooked using the infrared heat of micronisation which ensures gelatinisation and improved digestibility of the starch content and thereby helps reduce the risk of rumen acidosis and digestive upsets. The feeds also contain quality protein to encourage muscle development and growth, whilst a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals support health and well-being. Introduced since the change of ownership are Country Sheep Nuts, which provide a convenient alternative to Pedigree Sheep Mix. Both feeds are ideal for sheep of all ages but particularly inlamb and lactating ewes and as a complement to forage during the winter months. For those who keep a range of animals, Badminton also produces Country Mix and December 2012
n Country Pig Nuts represent an easy-to-feed option for pigs of all ages Country Cubes which are suitable for cattle, sheep and goats alike, whilst Country Pig Nuts represent an easy-to-feed option for pigs of all ages. n smallholder.co.uk
Contact:
n For advice on feeding all types of farm animals and camelids telephone Badminton Country Feeds on 01425 658450 or visit badmintoncountryfeeds.co.uk Getting started 19
20 Getting started
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December 2012
GETTING STARTED
From rescues to rehoming The Donkey Sanctuary shows how to get started with donkeys
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undreds of neglected, unwanted or unloved donkeys come to international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary each year to be guaranteed a sanctuary for life. Whilst some of these may need ongoing specialist care for the rest of their days, young and healthy donkeys relinquished to the charity can enjoy the individual love and attention that a private home can provide through The Donkey Sanctuary’s fostering scheme. Around 1,500 donkeys are currently enjoying life in foster homes around the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. Whilst many of these foster homes are homes in the traditional sense, not all of them are private residences, and foster donkeys from The Donkey Sanctuary can be anything from school pets to
n Donkey duo, Joop and Maco, have proved popular with school pupils Picture: ST EDWARDS C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL, ROCHDALE part of a rehabilitation programme for young people in youth offenders’ institutes. One school in Rochdale has taken a particular shine to donkeys. St Edwards C of E Primary School has been fostering Joop and Maco since August 2011 and the donkey duo have proven very popular with staff and students alike. With
Fostering a donkey Anyone thinking of fostering donkeys will need to be able to provide: n At least an acre of grazing. n A stable/shelter - unlike horses donkeys do not have waterproof coats. n A hard standing area donkeys have really porous feet and need to be able to get off the grass when it is wet. n Robust fencing – a must as donkeys are great escape artists. December 2012
Don’t worry if you haven’t got some or all of these in place yet – The Donkey Sanctuary’s team of welfare officers are happy to advise you. To apply to foster donkeys or simply find out more about the fostering scheme, visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org. uk/fostering or call The Donkey Sanctuary’s welfare team on 01395 578222. n smallholder.co.uk
so many students and staff keen to help out with their daily care, The Donkey Sanctuary recently carried out further training at the school to enable even more adults and young people to join in the fun of feeding, grooming, mucking out and walking the donkeys each day. Headteacher Lynne Coxell explains: “Fostering Joop and Maco with The Donkey Sanctuary is one of the best things the school has ever done. Not only does the animal contact help the children learn and understand about empathy and the environment, but spending time with the donkeys is incredibly therapeutic for both staff and pupils. The donkeys are so popular that we have no shortage of volunteers to groom and walk them each morning before school and even at weekends. “Joop and Maco are a fantastic asset to our school and the children’s lives and we all Getting started 21
GETTING STARTED International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by the late Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE in 1969. It supports projects to alleviate the suffering of donkeys in 28 countries worldwide, including sanctuaries across Europe, where more than 15,000 donkeys and mules have been cared for, and major projects in Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Mexico, where donkey welfare is improved through community education and veterinary work. It also provides donkeyassisted therapy for children with additional needs and therapeutic visits for elderly people in the local community from centres in Belfast, Birmingham, Ivybridge, Leeds, Manchester and Sidmouth. n
22 Getting started
You don’t need to have kept horses or donkeys before or even be an experienced equine handler to apply to foster donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary offers free training courses to give you a taste of what keeping donkeys could be like, and their dedicated team of welfare officers are on hand 24/7 to offer you support and advice once your donkeys arrive. n
Contact: love looking after them.” Like Joop and Maco, the majority of donkeys on The Donkey Sanctuary’s foster scheme go out to homes in pairs or groups as they form very strong bonds and do not like being alone.
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n For further details call 01395 578222, log on to thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk or visit the charity’s free admission headquarters near Sidmouth in Devon, which is open every day. n
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