Hannah Reddaway: Clarkson can’t fill car parks everywhere
Hannah Reddaway © Emily Fleur It was interesting to see the reception Jeremy Clarkson’s newly opened pub, The Farmer’s Dog, has received.
There has been much coverage of the crowds turning up to support it. One article particularly caught my eye, referring to it as “a new megachurch for his disciples”.
The benefits Jeremy has brought to our community are vast, prompting more understanding and insight among the public of what we do.
See also: Hannah Reddaway – local support goes a long way for farmers
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I’ve experienced a newfound empathy, understanding and respect from non-farming friends because of his efforts.
But that vast following, while generating support for British farming in principle, cannot be taken for granted – and it certainly doesn’t automatically translate into the same overflowing car park of customers at every new venture.
Clarkson’s suggestion of farmers pooling resources to form co-operatives is a good one; collaboration allows us to offer customers the variety of produce they’ve come to expect, plus the chance for us to share knowledge and skills.
Having attempted a solo diversification venture while expanding my core farm business, I know that such collaboration could have been beneficial.
With the transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme, the conversation among farmers and the public seems to be increasingly focused on this ever-present need to diversify.
Farm shops, camping and milk vending machines are often touted as ways to generate additional income.
However, having explored options, I’ve found that diversification is not the easy, miracle solution that some – especially the government – would have you believe.
Talking about it flippantly, as if it’s a tap that can simply be turned on, diminishes the reality and effort required to make it work, which can be nearly impossible to juggle with our existing farm commitments.
Hard work and perseverance, along with a keen eye for opportunities and the right timing, are necessary.
The next few years will likely see some interesting new supporting businesses emerge as diversification becomes an increasingly necessary strategy for farming’s survival. It will be interesting to see what co-operatives may form.
After all, some of our biggest buyers, the supermarkets, started out in this very way.