Is smallholding really "The Good Life"? (From Smallholder)

Is smallholding really "The Good Life"?

10:42am Thursday 19th October 2006 in News By Peter Johnston

THE term, "The Good Life" is now synonymous with people giving up the trudge of suburban living and moving to the country. If you are considering the leap, which is probably why you're reading this, you will have spent countless hours watching television, surfing the net and reading how to become a smallholder. You'll have laughed at the comedy sketches of authors describing how the cow escaped from its field, only to end up in the polytunnel, eating its way through the contents and then charging out through the plastic sides. Oh what a wonderful life!

Very few of the experts give information on what is really involved. Anyone, (who can afford it), can purchase a smallholding. It really is simple. Contact an Estate Agent etc, buy a waxed jacket and a pair of green wellies and away you go.

Some five years ago, my partner and I did exactly that. We spent months 'what iffing' and eventually took the quantum leap. It was planned to the last detail and everything had been considered and refined. We left nothing to chance. The business plan was comprehensive and all the relevant agencies had been contacted. It was now a case of turning up and converting our smallholding into a viable business. Both of us had previous experience and knew what was involved. A success in the making!

Not spoken to smallholders who had gone before!

In all our planning we had not spoken to anyone who had gone before. In fact, from what we had seen in the media and from all the information we had gleaned from our professional advisors and the multitude of experts, there really wasn't any need to consult further. We were fully prepared.

We settled in and work commenced. We then gradually realized how unprepared we had actually been. None of the experts had mentioned anything about ability, isolation, land preparation, machinery or sod's law to name a few. Even now no attention is paid to the people who have gone before. Those who have succeeded and those that have not! And I suspect that there is a growing number of those that have not, because the simple stupid basic things were not considered. Unless you have a bank balance equal to HRH you perhaps should consider the following; 1. Ability - Physical health and age have very little to do with ability. Providing you're relatively mobile and supple, then most jobs can eventually be achieved. What I'm eluding to is stamina to perform physical work for long periods and the mental state required.

Shortly after we moved I decided to dig a small trench. It was only 50m long, 0.5m wide and 1m deep. I estimated it would take me a day and a half to two days to complete. I took up my spade and set to work. Within 15 minutes I discovered that all agricultural land is not like you see in the media. Rough land consists of everything from topsoil to thick clay and large rocks. Down went the spade and in came the pick-axe. I spent the day swinging the pick-axe and eventually dug about two meters. This was going to take a little longer than I thought. The following morning I was up with the lark and at it again. By lunch time I was very tired and had dug about another half meter. After lunch I spent another hour swinging the pick which now appeared to weigh ten times what it did before. I was worn-out and totally dejected. I had been at this job for almost two days and still had 45m to go. The next day I struggled out of bed sometime after nine and every bone in my body ached. By the time I got going it was lunch time and after swinging the pick-axe a few times I knew I was beaten.

Later, I was talking to an old hand and he explained my fundamental mistakes. Firstly, a job takes as long as it does. An estimate is exactly that. Secondly, know your limitations and work within them and finally never look at what needs to be done, but at how much you have actually achieved. With the right mental approach the physical side follows. (I did eventually get the trench dug - I hired a small digger) 2. Isolation - Even in suburbia people can feel isolated, but in a rural situation the lack of any human contact can be profound. If you personally don't take the initiative there can be times when you don't have human contact for days or even weeks. Whilst some may see this as an advantage, most of us need human contact and it comes as a surprise to many to find that being on your own means exactly that, alone. When considering this further, look closely at your relationship with your partner. It is surprising how many relationships exist between two people who really don't get on. They survive quite happily doing their own things and can't actually coexist without contact with family and non-mutual friends. Before even considering the move you should ask the very difficult question, "Can you and I alone do this?" If there is any doubt whatsoever, then reconsider.

3. Land preparation - As mentioned above, when you eventually start working your land it is extremely unlikely to have anything in common with your garden or any gardening books you've read. It will need to be cultivated from scratch and whilst there are all kinds of books on no dig methods and raised beds, the reality is that a considerable amount of work will be required before you will be in a position to even plant a seed. Unless you have an army of willing helpers, or a massive bank balance, it will take you months, if not years to prepare even a small area. Don't think that you can move into your dream smallholding and be selling your vegetables at the local farmers market within six months. The reality is that it will probably be two to three years before you're in a position to generate any income. Therefore, your calculations should take into account the fact that you will need to survive with no income for at least twelve months. Yes you can get a job, but is that not defeating the object?

4. Machinery - Along with land preparation comes machinery requirements. If you're going to cultivate land you will need to consider how to achieve it. It really is unrealistic to think that you can work anything over an acre of land without some form of mechanical assistance, whether that be a spade and a strong back, a horse/donkey/ox and plough or a tractor and implements. The latter is easiest, for as little as a couple of grand you can purchase a serviceable tractor. However, you need all the implements to go with it and before you know it you'll probably be spending somewhere in the region of £10,000 for the basics. The horse/donkey/ox alternative does not come cheap either. The bottom line is that you should factor in your machinery requirements along with the price of the property you are considering purchasing. If it's a two acre plot you may get away with the minimum, however, anything over that and you're talking major investment.

5. Sod's Law - This law dictates, "If something can go wrong at the most inopportune time, it will". There is no defence to this except an extremely perverted sense of humour and strong constitution. The ability to be philosophical and laugh at adversity will go some way to help you through. Yeah, it really is funny reading about the cow that escaped from its field and ended up crashing through the polytunnel. The reality is far from funny. The eaten cabbages and trampled vegetables represent at least your next months income and the replacement polytunnel cover will set you back another five hundred quid. Never mind the time and effort involved in repairs and replanting. Try seeing the funny side of that!

Why bother? I hear you say. Well, the up side is that you're doing what you want and are reliant on no-one but yourselves. Also, it really is fun in some peculiar, perverted kind of way! Do it...

Peter Johnston can be contacted at Willow Herb and Holistic Centre, Rooskagh, Carrickerry, Athea, Co. Limerick, Ireland, and you can view their story so far on www.willownaturaltherapies.com.

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