The Bookshop

Organisations

Links

Suppliers

THE SMALLHOLDER'S MANUAL

An extract from the book by Katie Thear
published by Broad Leys Publishing Ltd

Buying a Smallholding

Is rural life really so idyllic?

The first essential is to concentrate on having an adequate income. Where this comes from will vary: it need not necessarily be from a full-time job. Many people now living in rural areas are finding that a part-time job, in conjunction with their smallholding activities, produces a comfortable and satisfying lifestyle. The job may be working for someone else or operating a small home business. A business can operate from a smallholding, without necessarily having anything to do with agriculture.

The second priority is to ensure that the house itself is adequate. Repairs, renovations and extensions to provide comfortable accommodation take precedence over a gardening programme or the acquisition of animals. Outbuildings and fences are third in order of priority, and only when these have been repaired and appropriately adapted, is it prudent to think about keeping livestock.

Location

Is the location suitable for everyone? While a country upbringing is generally good for children, it may also be a lonely one if the house is in an isolated area. How far is the nearest town, and what is the public transportation like? In some villages the public transport may be non-existent, and the availability of shops, schools and services may also leave a lot to be desired. Where local sales of farm produce are envisaged, easy access to ready markets is essential if a lot of time is not to be spent delivering the produce.

Cultural and linguistic factors should also be borne in mind. Some areas of Wales, for example, are completely Welsh speaking and may not welcome incomers who make no attempt to learn the language or respect the culture. It is also appropriate to mention the myth of ‘town versus country’, where the inhabitants of each group are supposedly incapable of understanding each other. The fable of the town and the country mouse portrays the characters as being out of their depth and unable to cope when taken out of their usual environments; thus the country frightens the town mouse, while the country mouse cannot wait to get back home from the town. It has always seemed to me that the intelligent mouse is the one who experiences and respects the town and the country, and therefore benefits from both worlds. There is nothing about the practices of town or country that cannot be absorbed quite quickly by those willing to adapt.

It is always a good idea to go and see a property on a cold, wet, dismal day. Sunshine and cottage garden flowers can all too often disguise the realities of a north-facing site at the mercy of the prevailing winds, or the major structural defects of a building.

Climate and land topography play important roles in its suitability for crops and livestock. Prevailing winds can have a major effect on certain crops or young animals. Hill farms often have rough grazing and are suitable only for mountain sheep. Steep slopes can be inaccessible or dangerous for tractors. North-facing slopes can be a problem because of their exposed nature and lack of sun, while waterlogged land should be avoided.

It is also worth checking on the shape and size of fields to establish their accessibility and workability. A good map will help to establish geographical features, as well as the existence of any public footpaths or rights of way. A friend of mine had a footpath that ran past his kitchen window. An otherwise delightful old man from the village would frequently stop there and pee in the hedge, but my friend never had the heart to protest, although he did hint that the compost heap might benefit!

It is easy to establish what the pattern of weather has been in a particular area. The meteorological office and civil airports keep records and will provide the information on request. It is appropriate to remember, however, that global warming is bringing in quite rapid meteorological changes, and these may have a bearing on future plans.

Quality of the Land

The quality of land varies from one area to another. It may be heavy clay, quick-draining sand, thin chalky soil, acid peat or, if you are lucky, a friable medium-loam soil. The better soil will grow better crops, and this fact is usually reflected in the comparative land values, with the best agricultural land fetching the highest prices. The agriculture ministry of most countries publishes land classification maps that indicate the type and quality of soils in the different regions. In the USA, there are 18,000 different types of soil, but the local extension agent will provide information specific to an area. In Britain, agricultural land is classified into five grades.

Soil testing will establish the type and nature of the soil, as will an examination of the prevalent weeds: for instance, rushes, Juncus species, denote waterlogging, while a profusion of sheep’s sorrel, Rumex acetosella, is a sure sign of an acid soil. It is a good policy to observe what neighbouring farmers are doing with their land, because if they are dependent upon it for their livelihoods, you may be certain that they are not growing crops totally unsuited to the environment.

How Much Land?

How much land is required for a smallholding? This is rather like the question of how long is a piece of string, since it depends on what the owner wishes to do with the land, and how much money is available. A great deal can be achieved on a relatively small area of land, and it is generally true that the less land one has, the more carefully managed and productive it is in relation to its size. There is far more wastage involved where a large acreage is concerned.

A large garden can have a productive kitchen garden, greenhouse and hives of bees, as well as rabbits, chickens or ducks. As part-time activities, these can provide a certain amount of supplementary income, as well as providing for one’s own situation.

A small field adjoining a garden would enable a couple of dairy goats to be kept, or a few pigs to be reared. A hectare (just under 2.5 acres) with good pasture would allow a small breeding flock of sheep to be kept, while 2 hectares (5 acres) and over would cater for larger livestock such as a cow and calf, llamas or alpacas, or an organic enterprise. Four hectares (around 10 acres) makes possible the growing of hay, with perhaps space given to a cereal crop or a range of forage crops for the livestock. A part of this might also be used for an orchard, woodlot or wood coppicing area.

It is easy to forget the pasture requirements of grazing animals. It is not enough that there is a certain area of grassland: there needs to be enough to allow for rotational grazing, so that as one area is used up, fresh ground is made available while the first is left to rest and recover. If hay is to be made, this represents even more pasture. Some smallholders find it more economic to use or rent out their grassland for grazing, while buying in hay for their own use.

The time and energy factors should not be overlooked. If priority is given to earning a living, there may be little of either to spare for looking after a collection of animals. Our 1.75 hectare (2 acre) site was used as follows: two goats, chickens, ducks, geese and bees were permanent residents, while pigs and a couple of sheep were reared for limited periods, but at different times. Our paddock was used for rotational grazing for the goats and geese, while the hens free-ranged in the orchard. The ducks ranged on the lawn area, as did the geese from time to time. We aimed to cover all the feeding and other costs and provide for ourselves, but not to make a profit, as our income came from another source. The diagram (above) shows the theoretical possibilities of a larger smallholding run on a part-time basis, with an income coming from another source. These are obviously guidelines only, for a great deal depends upon the land, the inclinations of the owner, and the amount of time and capital available.

Particular Needs

Part-time smallholders are, by definition, part-time something else, and this is usually the half that generates an income. A home office is therefore often an essential pre-requisite on a modern smallholding; it may be in the home or in a converted outbuilding. Whether an enterprise is land-based or not, it is important to cheek that there are no restrictive covenants on the house or land that might curtail particular activities, such as keeping poultry. Conversely, if there is an ‘agriculture only’ designation, it may prove difficult to start a non-agricultural business, or to go in for a particular kind of building. Some countries have zoning, licensing and registration requirements; these vary in different states, but federal, state, county and city agencies will provide the necessary information. Legal searches will normally unearth any covenants or other conditions. It makes sense to establish whether there is likely to be a problem before the property is purchased; the panel opposite lists the main questions to ask.

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Smallholding

Is the house suitable for your needs?
Can it be easily extended?
Is it a listed building?
Is there an ‘agricultural use only’ condition?
Can a non-agricultural business be started?
Is there a mains or private water supply? What is its condition?
Can the water supply be extended?
Is there mains or private sewerage? What is its condition?
Is there a private or a public electricity supply? What is its condition?
Is three-phase electricity available for heavy machinery?
Does it have all the necessary services?
Are there any other restrictive covenants?
How high is the farm?
Is it on steep ground?
Is it north- or south-facing?
Is it sheltered or exposed?
What is the state of the outbuildings?
What grade agricultural land is it?
What are the prevalent weeds?
What is the drainage like?
Are there any shared access rights?
Is there evidence of vermin?
What is the pH value of the soil?
Are there many rushes and reeds?
What is the condition of the hedges and ditches?
Are there any public footpaths or rights of way across the land?
What is the condition of fences and gates?
What is the average rainfall?
Are the fields of a convenient size and shape?
Is there a local farmers’ market?
Is the farm in a tourist area?
How far is the nearest town and shops?
How far is the nearest doctor and hospital?
Is effective public transport available?
What are the neighbours like?
What cultural facilities are available?
How far are the nearest suitable schools?
How far is the nearest vet?
Is there easy car access to a main road?
What trees are present on the site? Is there any game on the land?
Are there any riparian (fishing) rights if there is a stream running through the property?
Is there a local source of casual or part-time labour? Is it in a conservation area?
What leisure facilities and job prospects are available for children as they get older?
Is it really suitable? Be honest!

© 2004. Katie Thear.

From THE SMALLHOLDER'S MANUAL, published by Broad Leys Publishing Ltd

Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Broad Leys Publishing Ltd Design by WebOneUK
Site Map | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions of Sale