This is a session for landseekers, especially those registered with Landmatch England, although anyone seeking to take on land for a new farming or growing enterprise is welcome to attend.
If you’re a landseeker looking for land, a business plan helps you clearly set out how your enterprise will work in practice. A great business plan will increase your chances of securing the right land opportunity, as it’s a vital tool for demonstrating credibility and viability to landowners.
This session was hosted with agricultural consultant Vicky Herbert, who has been an advisor to agricultural businesses for 5 years. Alongside her consultancy work, Vicky has spent nearly 10 years farming: working with livestock and growing vegetables at both field scale and market garden level. She has experience on both sides of land-sharing agreements has been working to find land with Landmatch England herself!
Vicky is currently an Agricultural Consultant for ADAS, and has previously worked as an advisor both with Business Information Point, Devon, as well as Defra. She has advised farm businesses of all sizes. Her experience includes working with farmers on the transition away from the Basic Payment System after Brexit; providing advice for on-farm innovation with small farms; and working with protected landscapes with a focus on nature-friendly farming.
This session took place after our Financial Fundamentals session on the 13th May. We will refer to key concepts from that session, so we recommend attending it or watching the recording in advance.
In this session, we explore:
- The fundamental building blocks of your business plan
Introducing the key elements that need to be considered to build your business plan. - Choosing the right agreement
Understanding scenarios for different land-sharing agreements (contract, tenancy, and joint venture) and how they shape your business plan. - Key costs and considerations
We’ll consider the key costs and considerations for forecasting, including infrastructure development, equipment costs, and paying yourself.