Landshare offers new life for unused Farmland
At Landshare we love growing plots of all shapes and sizes, from back gardens and community growing, to larger plots that can sustain a business.
Now more and more farmers are offering plots on Landshare and reaping the benefits. So we caught up with Steve from Moniabrock Farm to find out what happened when he put 16 acres of his farm on Landshare, and were so inspired we made this film about it. Watch the clip to hear Steve and Andrew’s tips on creating a successful land match.
When Steve was contacted by Andrew to use the land it was the start of a relationship that has benefitted both sides. An un-utilised and messy piece of land was transformed into a productive plot, “We put it up on Landshare from the point of view that we saw it as a waste and we got something out of it as well,” plus “in the summer it looks great!”
Andrew, who took on the plot, is a chef and for him it makes good business sense too. “As a chef it’s brilliant to have stuff that you just cannot buy in the shops, the sort of stuff that I grow is the sort of stuff you dream about being able to source and if there’s a glut of things I can sell it onto other restaurants.”
Andrew also keeps pigs on the land, and has found if they rear 6, then 4 can be sold, which pays for the livestock costs and 2 pigs can be kept for themselves.
Steve and Andrew demonstrate how farmland can be used for a successful Landshare match, which benefits both, is enjoyable and makes good business sense.
As more and more people are looking for larger areas of land, Landshare have been working with a group of partners to develop the Land Partnerships Handbook – which sets out key points to consider when creating a new enterprise between people who own land and people who want to set up land based businesses.
The Handbook sets out a 5 stage process with specialist technical and legal information from leading experts in the field. Supported by organisations such as the National Trust, the Country Land & Business Association, and the Tenant Farmers Association it offers a simple, structured approach for land owners and growers thinking about setting up a new partnership like Andrew and Steve.
Plus the Handbook features other Landshare members, Here Pig Pig who are enjoying success after meeting on Landshare.
With a new year of growing about to begin, now is the time to check the Landshare listings for the plot you’re after, or offer land to start a new relationship. Plus download the Land Partnerships Handbook for tips on getting started.
