Laura McDonald introduces this year’s show, a must attend for any landowner looking at diversification.
The Farm Business Innovation Show is Britain’s biggest event dedicated to providing farmers, landowners, estate owners and rural entrepreneurs with the inspiration, advice and resources they need to grow, diversify or evolve their rural business.
With the end of the Common Agricultural Policy looming and major uncertainty around its replacement, it’s never been so crucial for the rural sector to look towards alternative sources of income for their land. The venture into rural diversification requires so much more than a good idea, and to thrive you need to have clear plans, goals and confidence in your decisions.
Now in its sixth year, the event will see 500 exhibitors fill the hall, 200 seminars covering a multitude of topics, and expert-led panel debates combining to create an unmissable event, with hundreds of ideas for landowners to introduce new income streams through their land and rural business.
This year’s speaker line-up features the likes of TESCO, DEFRA, Barclays, The CLA, Buckingham Palace and the NFU, as well as a variety of experienced farmers who have taken the leap into diversification themselves.
Seminar topics range from developing a glamping brand to adding income from hosting weddings, to the local lending movement. The two-day event will feature a host of live panel discussions by industry experts on topics such as Brexit and diversification, planning permission, renewables and energy storage.
Running on the 7-8 November at the NEC Birmingham, tickets to attend the show are free, just register at www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk
OAB’S TOP PICKS
Glampsites – Stand 3601
Glampsites.com is a specialist website created for glampers to search and book their stay. It offers two joining options for sites – free listings that visitors can browse, and bookable listings through which guests can book their stays. With bookable listings, glampsites pay 10 per cent commission on bookings received. Marketing manager Leona Mills will also be speaking at the show, giving tips on how to generate more bookings. www.glampsites.com/signup
Horne Engineering – Stand 1816
Horne has been designing and manufacturing specialist thermostatic valves and showers since 1909. A selection of shower panels will be on display from its extensive range including DDA/Equality Act compliant and timed-flow-control (TFC) showers such as the Duso shower column. Neat, colourful, robust and easy to maintain, the Duso’s timed control and integral flow regulator ensure that wastage of preheated water is kept to a minimum. www.horne.co.uk
New Leaf Treehouse Co. – Stand 3226
The clever design from New Leaf incorporates timber and canvas elements and a low impact attachment system that ‘hugs’ the tree without damaging it. Bespoke projects are no problem but do check out the New Leaf 042, it can be up in your tree from as little as £15,000 subject to site survey etc. Make sure to enter the competition to win a night’s stay in a New Leaf treehouse at Knepp Castle. www.newleafthc.co.uk
Aquaforno – Stand 2470
Give your guests the best alfresco dining experience with the award winning Aquaforno II, one of the most versatile outdoor cooking stoves around. It’s portable, collapsible, multi-fuel (wood/charcoal/gas) and operates as a BBQ grill, pizza oven, rotisserie and smoker. An internal water boiler gives hot drinks on tap and it can also double up as a patio heater or clothes dryer! www.aquaforno.com
Mudcontrol – Stand 2853
For protection against mud in parking areas, pathways, tracks, or anywhere that gets muddy, these 100 per cent recycled plastic interlinking slabs form a solid sub-base through which grass can grow and can be easily relocated. Designed not to sink or flex, they have been tested to over 60 tonnes for vehicles (including HGVs) and are also perfect for human and animal traffic. From £22 / sq m, Mudcontrol offers a 20 year guarantee as standard. www.mudcontrol.co.uk
Logspan – Stand 3092
The Finman range of BBQ huts and glamping cabins is available through family owned business Logspan and offers fantastic ROIs. It includes the Bunkhouse, Loft (with a mezzanine), Retreat and Sleeper cabins – a 17 sq m Finman Sleeper Cabin is expected to return a profit within the first year based on 25% occupancy at £75 rental per night. Recently introduced, the Burrow range of cabins has been designed to nestle within a landscape, whereas the Clansman Modern Pod is for those after a contemporary look. www.logspan.com
The Septic Tank Store – Stand 2424
With an extensive range of septic tanks and treatment plants, the family run Septic Tank Store will help keep your land ‘poofect’, allowing you and your guests to experience the rural landscape in comfort. The friendly team offers bespoke systems for everything from a single glamping unit all the way up to a one thousand population treatment plant. www.theseptictankstore.co.uk
