tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post2088240187541976074..comments2022-04-28T14:34:20.969+01:00Comments on The Farming Ladder - Can we build it? Yes we can!: Devon knows I'm Miserable Now .....Michael Blanche .... blesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199716771316641493noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post-4571152889047099272010-10-23T17:13:27.154+01:002010-10-23T17:13:27.154+01:00Only just got around to reading this. Ashamedly, I...Only just got around to reading this. Ashamedly, I don't have anything intelligent to add to the farming ladder debate, I just wanted to applaud you for the use of a Smiths song in the title. Well done.Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18186876573199113176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post-75186732236076420782010-10-14T20:55:59.599+01:002010-10-14T20:55:59.599+01:00Michael, you know i'm cheap---one drink starts...Michael, you know i'm cheap---one drink starts me off but two will put me to sleepjulesandtimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10870861233271477511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post-58285098674263726972010-10-13T23:12:27.093+01:002010-10-13T23:12:27.093+01:00Rona, Devon was brilliant ... never doubt that (I ...Rona, Devon was brilliant ... never doubt that (I am currently at work on my defining piece - The Amisses)! It just happens to be a county that rhymes with heaven and I can prove how odd I am by substituting it into one of The Smiths most brilliant-est song titles.<br /><br />Tim - can you give me a quote for you not to speak? ... Tee HeeMichael Blanche .... blesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13199716771316641493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post-61426780685040374412010-10-13T19:40:44.286+01:002010-10-13T19:40:44.286+01:00My speaking fees are very reasonable----My speaking fees are very reasonable----julesandtimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10870861233271477511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post-27218567017501386832010-10-13T13:11:15.650+01:002010-10-13T13:11:15.650+01:00I think you meant the trip to Devon was useful, i ...I think you meant the trip to Devon was useful, i hope so. You forgot to write about Somerset selling of their farms, 35 tenants have been given notice to quit this week. Maybe Tim is right (now i know who he is!)and maybe he needs to come to the next conferance, it would liven things up!Rona Amisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04210836987361047493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614181022647296825.post-25546223453301574562010-10-13T11:07:51.837+01:002010-10-13T11:07:51.837+01:00Mr Blanche finally gets it right---there is no far...Mr Blanche finally gets it right---there is no farming ladder, its a free for all dream...<br /><br />The council farm ‘rung’ is a myth, there are precious few of them and those that do exist are being sold off rather rapidly to balance soaring local authority debts<br />Land is the most valuable commodity available, its future is guaranteed and linked to the rising demand of an increasing population. That’s why any man or woman with spare change is buying up land, and who wouldn’t—its guaranteed to rise in value, produces an income every year and is also due interest in the form of subsidies ---<br />The good thing about this (mostly) city money coming into the farming world is that these guys have a fresh approach to agriculture---they are more willing to look again at food production with a clean sheet and few traditions/prejudices to hold them back<br /> <br />This will only change when people get hungry enough to take back ownership or dwindling natural resources force a radical way in which we farm <br /><br />So for new entrants the way forward is bleak in the UK, as I’ve told you before Michael(pay attention this time)---you can;<br />1) Beg for a tenancy that will leave you financially/physically and emotionally drained—and then get chucked off or have your rent rocket if you are in the least successful <br />2) Become a manager for a rich city guy and live the life without actually having a real stake (just be prepared to loose it all when he decides to capitalise on his assets)<br />3) ‘Go east young man!’---emigrate somewhere where your small savings can get you in at ground zero with a chance. For this you will need lots of guts and to be physically determined as by nature where land is cheap the odds will be stacked against you (unstable governments/fluctuating economies etc)<br />4) Get rich in the city and then invest in your farm ---this is the most common approach to new entrant famers in the last few years<br /><br /><br />So ends the lesson for today --julesandtimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10870861233271477511noreply@blogger.com