Lucy Nott: Diversify – but only if it’s right for you

As is the case for many farms now, our core arable enterprises are not enough to support a whole family, given the financial demands of modern life.

While we make plans for our family’s farm, my husband Ben and I know that we will always need to diversify or generate some off-farm income as a financial safety net.

See also: Lucy Nott – Ever played ‘Farmers’ I Spy?’

We’re fortunate to have a history of diversification here. My parents-in-law started growing soft fruit in 1987.

When the supermarkets let them down, they pivoted the business to a “pick your own”, which was much-loved by the local community until it closed in 2017.

About the author

Lucy Nott

Farmlife opinion writer

Lucy lives with her husband, a sixth-generation farmer, and their two children on a 100ha (250 acre) arable farm in Worcestershire. On the farm they have a passion for regenerative agriculture and aspire to transition to a regenerative system. They are also part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot and are trialling lots of new things on the farm. They hosted their first LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) this year and Lucy is now the LOFS Ambassador for the West Midlands.

Read more articles by Lucy Nott

They also started a caravan storage business that makes use of redundant space, and is now an integral income stream.

We count our school visits (funded through the Countryside Stewardship scheme) as a diversification.

I also have a wedding business and Ben would love to grow some direct-to-consumer produce again in the future.

While all our diversifications have involved innovation, brainpower and hard work, it is our farm’s fortunate position that allows these enterprises to get off the ground.

Our family owns the land, we are close to several densely populated areas, we have good road links and easily accessible fields with beautiful views.

However, many in the farming community are less fortunate. This means lots of diversification options are unrealistic, adding to the mountain of outside pressures on a modern farm.

It is also important to remember, despite what the salespeople want us to think, the world of farm diversification is much broader than simply glamping pods and wood-fired hot tubs.

A diversification does not always mean bringing the public onto your farm, nor does it have to be something non-agricultural.

A good one needs to match your skill set, fit into your current workflow and complement your farm’s features.

External voices will continue to shout at us to diversify, with shiny (usually high-investment) examples put on a pedestal.

While it is always good to be inspired, if this sort of marketing catches you on a bad day it can have the opposite effect.

So, if the thought of diversification makes you feel overwhelmed, just know that you’re not alone.