Stuart Oates who recently graduated from University has on his farm in Cornwall set up a Camel Trekking business. This is family run and succeeds in standing out and being different. There is nothing boring or standard about this diversification. In fact the business has caught the attention of people countrywide by featuring in Blue Peter, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Country life and Farmers Weekly.
With the opportunity to make profits from agriculture in the 21st Century becoming harder, farmers are looking for more innovative methods of diversification, to increase their returns. Land agents can no longer simply suggest the conversion of a barn to an office or house or opening of a farm shop.
Planning permission for barns in the open countryside is becoming harder to obtain and the market is becoming swamped with barn conversions in some areas. Farm shops have also become a competitive market with many opening up across the country. The cheap prices of the supermarkets, means there is no room for error but they are appealing to the wants of the consumer for traceable locally produced food to high welfare and husbandry criteria.
The incidence of global warming and climate change will lead to new challenges for farmers and landowners. Their assets are so much more than just platforms for the production of food. Fisher German prides itself on being at the forefront of innovative ways of diversifying and creating wealth from property assets.
For more information contact Henrietta Cator at Fisher German’s Banbury Office on 01295 271555 henrietta.cator@fishergerman.co.uk
