Warwickshire farmers have been given an insight on how to turn tourists into a cash crop.
The ‘Profit from People - Diversification for Farmers’ event was held recently at Wellesbourne Watermill, near Stratford.
The half-day seminar was organised by the Warwickshire Rural Hub and covered all aspects of setting up and running a new farm-based business that can tap into the growing market for rural tourism.
Victoria and James Hawkins of Brockhampton Estate in Herefordshire gave delegates a genuine ‘real life’ case-study as they have branched out into new activities from their farm including a tea room, environmental walks and retail award winning beef herd.
Advice was also available from rural expert Paul Rice, of Leamington law firm Wright Hassall, on the legal aspects of diversification.
Speakers from HSBC also gave tips on gaining finance for a new venture and there were further speakers from chartered surveyors and estate agents Sheldon Bosley, leisure consultants Attract Marketing, catering experts Comply Training and Brian Hainsworth of FACE discussed how to mix children with animals.
Vikki Stephens, of the Warwickshire Rural Hub, said: “Traditional farms are under severe financial pressure and this was a great opportunity to find out ways of generating new income streams.
“We had living proof that it can be done from Victoria and James Hawkins but the seminar did not only offer inspiration there was plenty of information too.
“There were a series of experts in a number of fields that were on hand with all the relevant information on how to diversify and especially at tapping into the tourist market.”
