Income streams for small holdings

[EquineEEF]

Hi all, I am interested to know how those of you with small holdings make them work for you? We have recently bought a small yard, approx 8 acres, and currently just have our three horses there. We have 6 stables and the obvious way to create some income would be to have some DIYs there but we would prefer not to if we could. We would love to be able to create some monthly income and make good use of the space that we have. Be really interesting to hear what everyone does with their own places. Thanks

 

[phizz4]

Camping pods, Caravan and Motorhome CL, Camping and Caravan Club CS? Obviously depends on your location. Rent small areas as allotments, there is a high demand for those. Grow fruit trees/bushes. Chickens, Llamas, Alpaca.

 

[be positive]

2 or 3 DIY liveries will bring in very little and may be far more hassle than it is worth, I would consider taking 1 or 2 retirement liveries, far less trouble with a better income if you are in a good area and have the right set up, a track system would be another option either for retirement or laminitics.
A dog exercise paddock is popular in many places but would require some setting up and managing.

Making haylage or hay to sell on the land not required for your own would bring in a bit but most things will require some initial investment which may well not bring in a good enough return unless you make it into a proper business.

 

[QueenT]

Agree with 'be positive', DIYs would be too much hassle for little income - based on a couple of posts I've been reading on this forum there seems to be a good need for mid- to long-term livery for injured or older horses that need to get off their feet for 3-12 months. If you can manage the work and the monitoring that would probably be a more steady income - and a wonderful horse life roaming your acres!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

take one acre, either spit it into two or keep it as one-deer fence it, put in some logs, cable reels, paddling pool and let it out as a safe dog field by the hour. You can set up an online booking system very easily-£10 per dog, £2 per additional dog but limit it to 3 other than by arrangement. you will need PL I expect but its a growing market from what I can see.

 

[lamlyn2012]

It's a difficult one.
For the first time we have made haylage off some of our fields and waiting to see how that goes.
DIY livery would probably be more trouble than it's worth.
For most ventures you would have to get planning permission and additional insurance, so look into that in advance.
You could have a few chickens and sell free range eggs.
Small animal holiday boarding or cattery could be an option, but PP and business insurance would be needed for that. Check out business rates too.

 

[blitznbobs]

Breed black nose valais sheep - big investment but at 3 grand for a female lamb they can give good returns

 

[honetpot]

You could try camping depending where you are under the 28 day camping rule. There is virtually no money and every chance of losing money with small holding. A lot depends on your council and neighbours.
For ideas,
https://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php

 

[irishdraft]

We have had our small holding for 18 years and have gone thru every senario possible to make a bit of money . You won't make any money from diy probably will cost you. Best thing we did and the only enterprise that is still running is converting a large barn to storage units for people to store and a couple to light industry no hassle for us and are always in demand .