Making more of your assets

Do you have the opportunity and/or the will to make full use of your farm’s assets?

Many farmers have developed aspects of their farm to increase their ‘pulling power’. Could you?

Developing this type of farm asset in it’s own right is often not very economic.   But by packaging various elements together, you may be able to increase your product’s value.   It will also enable you to stand out from your competition.

For example:

• Develop farm walks?
• Create a cycle trail?
• Do you have horses?   Could guests use them?   Could guests bring their own horses?
• Do you have a lake for fishing?
• Could you specialise in attracting bird or wildlife enthusiasts?
• Selling farm produce to guests?
• Sharing a hobby or traditional skill?
• Specialise in introducing young children to animals – as an educational feature?

Tenancy – Conditions and Covenants

If you are a tenant farmer and want to develop a tourism activity, your first step is to obtain consent from your landlord.

You should also obtain professional advice on the full implications on your tenancy, particularly with regard to rent and succession.

Landlords generally readily agree to small scale ventures, and formal agreements are often facilitated through a Memorandum of Agreement, best drawn up by your professional advisor.

Tenants who enjoy succession rights and who are offered the option of a new tenancy agreement, will need to consider, with their professional advisor, the consequences.

General Skills/Abilities

The following list covers skills and abilities that are required by yourself or someone involved in running a tourism business in support of a farm.

Do you have these skills or will you need to arrange some training?

Personal

• Prepared/able to learn new skills?
• Fit and well?

Hospitality

• Customer care?   Do you enjoy talking to people, or is it a chore?   Do you enjoy serving people or will you mind being at your customer’s ‘beck and call’?
• Relaxed about having tourists on your farm/in your home?
• Prepared/able to give time to the business and its customers?

Business skills:

• Book-keeping?
• Marketing and selling?
• Project management/controlling costs?
• Administration (bookings/ordering/deposits etc.)?
• Staff management?
• Cleaning after customers?
• Hygiene standards to legal requirements?
• Use of Information Technology?

Risk Assessment

Below are areas where your ability to make a success of the business could be threatened, directly or indirectly.

You must assess these for yourself to determine if the level of risk is acceptable.

If after using this guide you identify one or more business options you need to know more about 

Contact:

*This Guide has been produced by South West Tourism, working through MPA. It was originally developed with the assistance of DEFRA and EAGGF funding.