News

19 Jul 2018

Celebrity launches farm diversification video series

Jimmy Doherty collaborates with NFU Mutual to produce a five-part video series investigating the different ways farmers can plan diversification activities.

One of the UK’s best-known farmers has prepared a series of videos providing tips and advice on planning and running a diversification enterprise alongside other farming activities using his own farm as an example.

Jimmy took on 100 acres of run-down land in Suffolk, and over a decade has developed a successful diversified farm which includes an award-winning restaurant, a nature trail, a butterfly house and hosts a number of science and food festivals throughout the year.

Mr Doherty said that if farmers have confidence in their abilities, then the opportunities to diversify are endless.

“Farmers already have a wide and impressive skill-set, I don’t know many people who can turn their hands to such a range of activities,” he said.

“At Jimmy’s Farm, we’ve done everything – from rearing rare breed animals to hosting educational visits – but have had particular success with running events, such as weddings and festivals.

“My experience developing a visitor attraction and wedding venue has taught me that unless you have vast amounts of money, you can’t set up an all-singing, all-dancing wedding venue or festival straight away.

“Running an events space is a big commitment and responsibility, and to have long-term success your events need to be consistently special and run without a hitch, or your customers will leave dissatisfied.”

View Jimmy’s five-part video series here.

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