It can often be quite wonderful for a family to realize they wish to interact with nature more. Perhaps they wish to aim towards more self-sufficiency or give themselves the tools to escape from the city rat-race and enjoy something more akin to the soul of the rural land. One of the options they might have considered is that of a smallholding. Of course, a smallholding simply means a registered number of acres holding a number of farm animals, perhaps for the simple pleasure of it or to turn a profit and translate this to a business.
No matter how large or small your smallholding, if it’s not defined as a farm, it might be that you’re somewhat at a loss for how to carefully manage it. However, we’re not here to help you dictate your intent, because that’s obviously the most important part for you to have creative freedom over. If you find yourself headed in this direction, allowing us to recommend a range of excellent and well-worn advice, as this might help you realize your dreams much more thoroughly.
Understand Licenses
You will need to register as a smallholding business and register all of your animals. You may need licenses to keep them depending on your country, and you will need to provide up-to-date medical reports and vaccination considerations. Your operation will also need to be inspected because at least in the United Kingdom, regulation was doubled after the Foot and Mouth horrors that occurred at the start of this century. Understand the farming licenses you need, cover yourself with packages such as farm machinery insurance, and you’ll have the potential of starting off on the strongest foot forward.
Security Fencing
You need to implement important security fencing. Not only can this keep your animals in, but it can prevent poachers or other thieves from getting in. This sounds like only something that happens in Africa when poachers try and find ivory horn, but poaching is a very real consideration in the modern farming space. Animals have value, and they can be easily led away if you’re not careful. Farming equipment is also extremely valuable, and in a rural environment, less eyes are around to spot someone in the act of thievery. Good security fencing, arranged setups and floodlights, as well as being in a neighborhood watch or farmer’s protection scheme can help you prevent a good deal of trouble that might have otherwise come your way.
A New Lifestyle
A smallholding is not simply a small business you do on the side, akin to selling your baked goods or reupholstering furniture. It is a full lifestyle, something that will take energy, early rises, and the true willingness to see things through. Sometimes, difficulty can strike. You might lose all of the lambs you were expecting during one difficult pregnancy, or weather conditions might harm your sheds. Tending the land takes no small amount of effort and patience, but if you can provide this, it might be one of the most substantial and rewarding jobs you have ever enjoyed.
