CMS UK

Rural, Business and Renewable Energy Consultants

Farm Diversification

Around 50% of farms in the UK supplement traditional incomes through farm diversification. The likelihood is with the reform of the Common Agricultural policy and de-coupling of subsidy away from production that the need to diversify will become an integral part of running many farm businesses.

Farm diversification is when a farm branches out from traditional farming by adding new income generating activities. This can be in place of or in addition to its traditional farming pursuits. Farm diversification can reduce the dependence on conventional agricultural production and can make better use of the farm's physical resources. Diversification can also help integrate farm businesses into the wider rural economy, bringing revenue into the area, creating employment and stimulating spin-off business opportunities.

Farm Diversification examples are:

• Accommodation - Bed and Breakfast, holiday cottages, camping and caravan sites
• Retail outlets and catering facilities - farm shop, tea rooms/café or restaurant
• Rural tourism and recreation - trekking holidays, visitor attractions, music festivals, mountain biking/walking routes, clay pigeon shooting, archery, quad biking
• Equestrian - riding centre, livery yard, cross country courses
• Adding value to agricultural products or making non-agricultural products for sale - making ready-made meals, cakes, beer, honey etc.
• Development (including training) and promotion of rural crafts - thatching, dry-stone walling, hedge laying and hurdle making.

CMS UK appreciates that the route farmers take to achieve successful farm diversification is not always easy, and barriers do exist which inhibit farmers from undertaking diversification or threaten the success of the business.

Based on our own practical experience CMS UK can offer a wide range of professional advice on farm diversification and property management including the following services:

• Grant and funding advice and application
• Diversification training and skills advice
• Advice and preparation of business plans
• Planning advice and application

We can provide any one or combination of the services listed above. For more information please contact one of our consultants at CMS UK on 01270 522645

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