BRANCHING out: Rob and Jan Elliott,

Being a farmer can be a tough business in today's Britain, which is why more landowners in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire are diversifying away from their core farming business.

Interest in farm diversification, or in developing complimentary income streams, has increased to the point where funding is now in place to help farmers in both counties tap into new opportunities.

Business consultant Jeremy Bowen-Rees, of Landsker Business Centre, Whitland, who is leading a project on behalf of Planed and Carmarthenshire County Council, says a comprehensive package of workshops, on-farm visits and one-on-one face-to-face meetings with experts is designed to help farmers make the right decisions before committing capital.

"It's a tough, uncompromising process we will be putting farmers through. If we think their idea isn't the right one for them, then we will tell them so, but we will help them develop their ideas so that what they propose has every chance of success," says Mr Bowen-Rees.

One couple who have successfully diversified with his assistance are arable producers, Rob and Jan Elliott.

They have converted old farm buildings into five star-rated cottages at Porthllisky Farm, St Davids.

The Elliotts were running an intensive bull beef rearing system but it was unprofitable and labour intensive.

They wanted to retain their potato and cereal enterprises but needed to find another income stream to replace the bull beef system.

Conversion of old farmyard buildings was their solution.

"Although the buildings had a farm use they were quite run down and we needed to spend money to maintain them. It made more financial sense to convert them into holiday accommodation," Mr Elliott said.

Four spacious self-catering units were created by a team of local builders, integrating traditional materials.

Mr Elliott says this diversification suited them but suggested that every farmer's situation is different.

"We are ideally placed to tap into the holiday market. We are on the coast with a beach that can't be accessed by car but we are within walking distance of St Davids."

He says diversification has given him the freedom to continue farming while enjoying the benefits of another income source.

"The money we have spent on this venture hasn't left the farm, we have invested it in an asset that has a value," he says.

It is farmers like the Elliotts which the EU project Harnessing Rural Capital, is designed to help. The project is running for the next three months by Landsker Business Centre. There are 100 free places available and so far 40 farmers have signed up.

Mr Bowen-Rees says the process will begin with a series of workshops designed to help farming businesses that are considering diversifying or those that have diversified and want to expand. Visits will be made to farms which have already diversified into tourism, leisure, agri-food and other sectors.

"Once they are clear on how they want to diversify they will be invited to specialist workshops where they will meet experts in those sectors," says Mr Bowen-Rees.

Finally, the farmers will be asked to present a realistic blueprint of their idea.

"I and other consultants will challenge them on these blueprints in the nicest possible way," added Mr Bowen Rees.

"It will be a test of their thinking to develop feasible ideas and of their conviction to bring them to fruition."

He says the beauty of the project is that it can be tailored to suit each farmer's situation.

"If they just want one-on-one advice in a focused area then that is what help would be given."

Farmers who want to register their interest in the programme can contact Jeremy Bowen-Rees or David Selwyn on 01994 240631 or by e-mailing jeremy@landsker.co.uk.

3:33pm Friday 9th May 2008

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