HOTLINES TO HELP

Whether you’re a first-time smallholder or an old hand, we all need help from time to time. Beyond the usual sources of information, such as John Seymour’s classic The Complete Book of Self-sufficiency, there are organisations and websites to steer you back on course

THE ACCIDENTAL SMALLHOLDER STARTED IN 2003 AND BASED ON A SMALLHOLDING IN ANGUS, THIS FRIENDLY WEBSITE IS A MINE OF INFORMATION AND A FORUM TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND COMRADESHIP (ACCIDENTALSMALLHOLDER.NET).

SUSTAINABLE FOOD TRUST A TERRIFIC SOURCE OF FASCINATING PODCASTS, INTERVIEWS AND FEATURES ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES IN SMALLHOLDING SUCH AS SUSTAINABILITY, SOIL HEALTH AND HARMONY IN FOOD AND FARMING (SUSTAINABLEFOODTRUST.ORG).

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION WHETHER IT’S HOME SLAUGHTER OR HEDGEROW REGULATIONS, THE LEGAL AND BUSINESS SIDE OF SMALLHOLDING CAN BE DAUNTING.

THE NFU HAS A WEALTH OF GUIDES FOR ITS MEMBERS (NFUONLINE.COM).

DEFRA FOR THE LATEST ADVICE ON SMALLHOLDING REGULATIONS – FROM RURAL GRANTS TO PIG WELFARE – TRY DEFRA.GOV.UK. THE WEBSITE ISN’T VERY USER-FRIENDLY BUT YOU CAN QUICKLY LOCATE TOPICS VIA THE SEARCH BOX OR FIND THE RELEVANT DEFRA HOTLINE AT GOV.UK/GUIDANCE/CONTACT-DEFRA#ANIMAL-HEALTH-AND-WELFARE.