Rural Smallholdings Magazine

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT STARTING A SMALLHOLDING GROUP?

There are lots of things to consider when starting a new smallholding group. Below you’ll find some useful tips to help you on your way.

OTHER LOCAL GROUPS

Have you checked that there isn’t a group already established in your area? If there is, what are particular interests and are they different from your own?

NEED

Is there actually a need for a smallholding group in your area? For your group to be successful you need to be confident that you will be able to attract sufficient members, otherwise it will fail.

AIMS

Have you identified the purpose and aims of your smallholding group?

BENEFITS

How will members of your smallholding group benefit?

COSTS

Have you thought through the cost implications of setting up and running a smallholding group? For starters, you will need to consider a budget for advertising, and how much a venue is likely to cost.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Whst subscription fee do you intend to charge so that you can cover the costs mentioned above?

VENUE

You will need a venue where your smallholding group can meet up. Obviously you will want to keep costs to a minimum. Perhaps when your group is in its infancy you could meet at your own home / other members homes. Other ideas include the local pub, or the local village hall.

THE SMALLHOLDING GROUP MEETINGS

Think very carefully about the time, day, and frequency of when your smallholding group will meet as this could have an impact on how many people can and will attend your smallholding group meetings.

WHO’S THE BOSS

In what form will the group meeting take place? Will there be a chairperson / leader? Perhaps you will decide that it will be an open discussion.

PROMOTING YOUR SMALLHOLDING GROUP

Promote your new smallholding group ss cheaply as possible. A few ideas that unsurprisingly spring to mind are

(1) here at Rural Smallholdings Magazines and

(2) The Smallholders Forums, where they will add a category specifically for your smallholding group. This means you can promote your group your to potential new members and keep people posted on news and upcoming events. This is particularly handy when you don’t hsve a web site of your own.

(3) If you have the skills, get a cheap website going, or ask a friend to sort one out for you. It may be that once you have a members on board that they or someone they know will be able to sort something out for the group.

RESEARCH

Make use of the Internet to find helpful resources, information, and ideas that you use at your smallholding group meetings.

INTRODUCING …

Oh, and don’t forget to choose a suitable name for your new smallholding group!

OTHER SOURCES OF ADVICE AND HELP

I’m sure if you made contact with other smallholding groups, they would only be too happy to offer some advice.

GOOD LUCK!