How AF can support your farm diversification projects

With the rapidly changing UK economy and the position of agriculture within it, farmers may, more than ever, be looking to seek other sources of income. One way to do so, is from diversification of their current business activities.

Diversification comes in many forms and is widely considered to provide greater economic viability to a farming business.

In 2017/18, 66% of farms reported diversification activity of some kind. This is a rise from the previous year and doesn’t include other agriculturally based work carried out on another farm.

A recent example of this type of diversification comes from our member HT Thornton & Son, owner of Manor Farm. Manor farm was once a traditional arable farm but, under careful ownership by the farms third generation, business activities are now very different. Set on 750 acres, the site is now a mixture of farmland, wild flower meadows, lakes and woodland. With this setting brings a new wave of business activities. Careful planning and investments have given rise to a collection of glamping sites and holiday lodges.

AF have supported many other members in their diversification projects, and members can benefit from expertise from across the business.

Working with General Supplies

AF’s General Supplies team can support you with your projects. For example:

• Fencing of all varieties
  

• Catering equipment and electrical appliances
  

• Waste disposal arrangement and information
  

• Shipping containers
  

To discuss your requirements, contact: generalsupplies@theAfgroup.co.uk

Working with Buildings

AF’s Buildings team are also able to support you in the following ways:

• Site visit from our Business Development Manager to discuss the project and how we can help
  

• Work directly with your builder/project manager to ensure clears lines of communications
  

• Advise on suitable materials and suppliers to ensure competitive pricing across the whole project
  

• Supply building materials from foundation to decoration and almost everything in between
  

Contact the buildings team: buildings@theafgroup.co.uk

Working with Machinery

Whilst utilising farm buildings is common, it is worth considering other forms of business. Self-storage, shooting events, solar farms or adventure parks are all opportunities to be had. Not all diversification requires large capital investments, more traditional types take advantage of the skills required on a working farm.

Making use of the farms current machinery assets can be very lucrative. Not everything needs to be owned, just the skills to use them.

The Machinery team can provide great rates on hired equipment -from excavators and diggers for ground clearance work to toilets and shower blocks. Groundcare equipment such as lawn mowers, chainsaws and tools, and ATV’s/quadbike can also be sourced.

Asset funding that may be needed to purchase any additional machinery/equipment or invest in technology can be provided.

To discuss, contact: machinery@theafgroup.co.uk