Jo & I have just finished brainstorming our ideas for the land - we appreciate any thoughts or comments that anyone might have!......
- Rare breed pigs - in the 1/2 acre or so of scrubby woodland / bramble. We've loved keeping pigs, and if we can make a little money and also work towards being self-sufficient for pig food (not happy about the idea of feeding grain-based feed which has probably come from a farm many miles away from any animals and coaxed begrudgingly into life with artificials) it would be a massive bonus.
- Controlled grazing of rare breed sheep, followed by mini egg-mobiles (by which I mean little chicken fold-units). Adapting the Joel Salatin plan to sheep (www.polyfacefarm.com).
- Pastured poultry - another Joel Salatin, probably in our case split around 50% free range eggs and 50% table birds including chickens, geese and turkeys.
- Quarter acre farm - our rotation of pigs, chickens, ducks, vegetables and grass, aiming to rehabilitate our tired permanent pasture.
- Holiday let - with some work our 'annexe' would become a great holiday let for a couple or small family who wanted to explore beautiful Monmouthshire and beautiful Tymawr farm!
- The Craftroom - a large outbuilding within which we could run courses on small business skills e.g. Project Management, Finance for Non-Financials, Strategy, Marketing, Lean Thinking (www.lean.org.uk) etc. etc.
- Firewood - with more than 2 acres of hardwood woodland there is enough scope to be entirely self-sufficient for heating, and have enough left over for some small sales of firewood and wood-chip.
- Cider Orchard - we have a West-facing field of around 2 acres which would make a wonderful orchard, in my mind I see a building housing the cider making equipment and vats, and a tasting room with a great view of the reservoir (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llandegfedd_Reservoir). I would also love to produce Apple Brandy!
- Christmas Trees - in the season I see a magical walk through the narrow woodland path, probably illuminated with Christmas lights, then out into the Cider Orchard for a glass of hot mulled cider, and then into the Christmas tree plantation to choose your own tree. We could then upsell home-grown Mistletoe, Oak-logs for the fire, Cider, Apple Brandy, meat etc. etc.
- Yurts / Holiday Cabins in the woodland - it would be a wonderful area for a family holiday - surrounded by native British woodland, Rare-breeds to see and feed, a Cider orchard to wander through, and the lovely Monmouthshire countryside to explore. We're also located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons which are beautiful!
