Top 2022 Consumer Trends
Like any business across any sector, it is important that farm diversification is targeted towards the consumer. Consumer trends continue to change, with a significant shift in focus being brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate change crisis and advances in digitalisation. To remain relevant and sustain sales, businesses must tailor...
Grant Funding for Farm Diversification
We often find the funding of farm diversification projects to be a significant obstacle for many farm businesses. This is especially true if the nature of the enterprise itself requires a large amount of upfront capital to get it off the ground. Projects involving the conversion or construction of buildings would be a good example of this. Farm...
Establishing Credibility
Whether or not you have established your diversified enterprise, marketing and sales are vital to its success. Consumers are more and more concerned with who they are buying from and why. As part of this and perhaps more importantly, how can you establish credibility for your brand and enterprise? Read on for an insight into how best to portray...
Selling Added Value Products – Advantages and Challenges
Farm diversification is often thought of as the creation of enterprises which do not involve farming. Since UK famers are largely passionate about farming, many may be reluctant or disinterested in non agricultural business ventures. However, there may be opportunities to enable additional or increased income streams through or alongside existing...
Utilising Your Network of Resources
Setting out to create a farm diversification can be daunting. Regardless of what the venture is, there are many questions that you may not know the answers to. For many this is enough to stop the project in its tracks, for others it may mean delays, unnecessary errors and expenditure.Luckily, you don’t need to hold all the answers to fulfil...
Bridge to Opportunity
Many farms and estates struggle with access when considering the development of diversification enterprises. It’s easy to write off a prospective venture due to poor access or similar. However, often with some strategic blue-sky thinking, the true potential of your site can be...
Marketing Your Farm Diversification
Many farm diversifications are dependent on effective marketing to make them work. Regardless of whether your proposed enterprise is commercial, retail or hospitality, you’ll need to sell it to the consumer one way or another. A marketing strategy needs to be part of your business plan.Read on for a brief insight into what to include when...
GPDO Guide – Where are they permitted?
Frequently, we are asked about permitted development and change of use on farm. However, a common misunderstanding is where permitted development rights apply, particularly if the site is situated in an area with a statutory designation.Luckily, we have created a simple table, displaying all statutory designations and respective planning class...
3 Reasons Now Is a Good Time to Diversify… If You Haven’t Already
It’s common knowledge that due to the uncertain future of agricultural policy, increasingly volatile commodity markets and rising input costs, many farmers are looking towards alternative opportunities and income streams. An additional concern for the UK agricultural industry is the decrease in demand for meat and dairy products caused by...
The Benefits of Renewable Energy Diversification
The current compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the UK renewable energy market is currently 9% and growing. This, amongst other things shows increasing progress towards the UK government’s “Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener”. The recently published document (October 2021) established a target of meeting greenhouse gas (GHG)...