Meet the cool cowgirl
MAY 7, 2013: James Strawbridge has been meeting some smallholders who push the boundaries with adventurous food projects. Here is one of them...Read More ›
Tim Tyne's Best Breeds
Veteran CS writer and career smallholder Tim Tyne is writing about his favourite breeds each month. Here he writes about one of his favourite pig breeds - the Gloucestershire Old Spots
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Smallholding in the city
Sara Ward has created a mini country smallholding in her back garden in West LondonRead More ›
Give hedgehogs a helping hand
The ‘gardener’s friend’ is under threat, says Penny Bunting, and smallholders can give them a helping hand
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How to deter rats
MAR 6, 2013: Rats can create havoc for henkeepers. To deal with them, you have to understand how they behave. Laurence Beeken explains
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Simple? Course it is ....
Mar 6, 2013: Plenty of advice in CS is aimed at the more experienced smallholder, but for the beginner it can be tricky working out what you want to do when you have never even held a chicken or met a pig! Abigail Price joined a Smallholder Taster Day at Mumbleys Farmhouse in South Gloucestershire to find out more…
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Cutting costs of pig feed
Just how easy is it to reduce your monthly pig feed bill? Liz Shankland looks at the options.Read More ›
Coming soon to a smallholding near you
JAN 20, 2013: Vermin can be the bane of a smallholder’s life. Here is some advice on dealing with the problem from specialists PelGar International, from HampshireRead More ›
The Land Battle
JAN 20, 2013: An imaginative and exciting scheme was launched to provide would-be smallholders with affordable land and low-impact dwellings. But then it was blocked by members of a council planning committee. The story highlights all that is wrong with our planning process - and illustrates why, so often, only a privileged few can fulfill their 'good life' dreams. Shaun Chamberlin, who helped launch the scheme, explains
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Jack of all trades
JAN 20, 2013: Adam Henson advises on getting to grips with being a smallholder
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Can smallholding feed the world?
JAN 17, 2013: In last August's issue of CS, a thoroughly researched article by Alan Beat raised the issue of whether small-scale localised organic food production could provide the means of feeding an ever growing world population. Here, another writer, Tim Tyne, gives his point of viewRead More ›
Keeping your animals dry and mud-free
JAN 17, 2013: Keeping your animals dry and mud free can be a challenge at this time of year.Read More ›
Keeping livestock: an introduction
Guidance from Robert Jeffery of NewLandOwner, who specialise in helping smallholders get started
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Planning permission: the basics
Advice from Brian Barrow, managing director
consultants Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd
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Making money from smallholding
Naomi Stannard runs courses at her smallholding in Milverton, Somerset. She and other enterprising smallholders were featured in our December issue by Simon Dawson, who runs courses on ExmoorRead More ›
Choosing the right livestock
Advice for smallholders, from Adam HensonRead More ›
Smallholding can feed the world
Oct 18, 2012: Organic smallholding has become mainstream, and is increasingly recognised as offering the most practical and comprehensive solution to many of the world’s problems, says author and Country Smallholding writer Alan Beat
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Tips on buying machinery
Oct 17, 2012: Think before you buy! Smallholder and author Liz Shankland gives advice on buying equipment or machinery for your smallholding
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Your smallholding questions answered
Oct 17, 2012: Every month a team of smallholding experts answer questions in Country Smallholding. Many are on livestock, as this one on keeping goats:Read More ›
Add some rare breeds to your poultry flock
With Adam HensonRead More ›
Making your own country wine
Jules Moore shows you howRead More ›
Can pigs ever really be PETS?
AUG 28, 2012: Many people can be lured into pig keeping when they are ill-prepared for it, as Liz Shankland explains
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ADAM HENSON: exclusive interview
From robots milking cows to Eric the bull showing his best side the camera ... Abigail Price and photographer, Terry Ife spent the day at Cotswold Farm Park being shown around by the BBC Countryfile's Adam Henson. Adam now writes for Country Smallholding every month
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Exclusive interview with KATE HUMBLE
Sept 18, 2012: TV presenter Kate Humble and her husband Ludo faced a huge challenge when they decided to buy a council farm near Monmouth. Now they are up and running – and they have teamed up with Country Smallholding writer Liz Shankland to offer a range of ’good life’ courses. Liz talked to Kate about her 'good life' adventure ...Read More ›
Do we need meat?
Should you aim for a stockless or mixed smallholding? Alan Beat takes an objective look at the raising of livestock for meat Read More ›
Pam’s passion
Poet and entertainer Pam Ayres has a secret passion … her smallholding. She likes nothing better than to unwind from her showbiz life with her poultry and animals. She talked to Country Smallholding editor Simon McEwanRead More ›
Smallholding: starting out
Jerry Spackman describes how he and his wife Dineke set up their smallholding in Saffron Walden,EssexRead More ›
Choosing livestock
What livestock should you choose for your smallholding? Alan Beat has many years experience with animals. Here is his adviceRead More ›
Starting smallholding: a quick class
A smallholder needs to know a tremendous amount of stuff. Read More ›
Zen and the Art of Smallholding
As smallholders, we work closely with nature. Nick Blewitt examines how we might strengthen this bond… Read More ›
James Strawbridge - The Garden chef
The kitchen is at the heart of any smallholding, and here are some tips to make the best use of itRead More ›
A low cost smallholding
Alistair and Gabi Lockwood have created a smallholding on rented land in Hampshire with minimal investment. They describes their experience.Read More ›
The ups and downs of community involvement
As you will have seen from previous issues, we are seeing something of a boom in community food initiatives. This seems to be partly due to consumers’ increasing disillusionment with the supermarketdominated system linked to an upsurge in interest in communal ventures – especially from families with children who want their children to see where food comes from.Read More ›
A taxing issue
Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes, and smallholding businesses are no different
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Home brew - making your own alcoholic drinks
Dave Hamilton provides some tips on home-brewing, including a recipes for home-made ale.Read More ›
Land Of Dreams
Accountant and smallholder TOM MAIN gives advice on finding a property and prudent financial planningRead More ›
Sharing the Good Life - Communal Living
One way to make smallholding more affordable is to share with others. Here, Sarah Bunker starts a new series on communal living. It is an option that offers many benefits for those seeking to embark on ‘the good life’Read More ›
The Perfect House Cow
The house cow is the hub of a smallholding. And the Jersey is the ideal house cow. So says Smallholder of the Year Jane Fanner. She talked to Marie-Claire KiddRead More ›
SMALLHOLDER OF THE YEAR: MEET OUR WINNER!
The winner of the 2009 Smallholder of the Year competition lives on a narrowboat and says her favourite shopping is at the dump.Read More ›
Smallholder of the Year Finalists
Country Smallholding Editor Simon McEwan meets the six contenders shortlisted for the Smallholder of the Year competition 2009 Read More ›
Plug into the sun
MYC RIGGULSFORD continues his series on renewable energy by looking at systems which turn sunlight into powerRead More ›
Wind power
MYC RIGGULSFORD continues his series on renewable energy by taking a look at wind powerRead More ›
Jimmy Doherty - country champion
He has a busy farm open to the public, TV documentaries to present, books to write ... it is a hectic life for Jimmy Doherty, named Farmers’ Champion 2008. He talked to STEVE CHILCOTT Read More ›
Monty's Mission
The nation’s favourite gardener has called for a revolution in our attitudes to food. Monty Don says it is vital that millions of gardeners grow vegetables in response to a major threat to our food security. He talked to Country Smallholding editor Simon McEwanRead More ›
Small Power
To launch a major new series about renewable energy, MYC RIGGULSFORD investigates the current state of play with small-scale technology in Britain and looks at the approaches of the various political parties to the issueRead More ›
At home with a dome
James Strawbridge, co-presenter of the TV show It’s Not Easy Being Green, tells us more about his good lifeRead More ›
How small can you go?
One of the best aspects of a smallholding lifestyle is the pleasure of eating food you have produced for yourself. But how much land do you need? Of course, there is no simple answer. Even a small garden can yield a worthwhile contribution to the kitchen table. ALAN BEAT looks at just what is achievable within a given space.Read More ›
Going greener
James Strawbridge, from TV's It’s Not Easy Being Green, describes how solar power is used on New House FarmRead More ›
A vine effort
James Strawbridge, co-presenter of the TV show It’s Not Easy Being Green, tells us more about his good lifeRead More ›
Living a seasonal, sustainable lifestyle
James Strawbridge, co-presenter of TV show It’s Not Easy Being Green, tells us about his good lifeRead More ›
James' Diary by James Strawbridge
James Strawbridge, co-presenter of TV show It's Not Easy Being Green, tells us about his good lifeRead More ›
Smallholders can help birds
Dr Sue Armstrong -Brown, the RSPB's head of countryside policy, talks about how smallholders can help wild birds.Read More ›
Smallholder and Garden Festival
CS editor Simon McEwan joined thousands of visitors at this year’s show.Read More ›
Millwey success story
A group of residents on a council estate became TV celebrities when they teamed up with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in his chicken welfare campaign. Read More ›
Can we beat Bluetongue?
Livestock keepers are pinning their hopes on Defra’s Bluetongue vaccination strategy. But will it work? Some leading veterinary groups have their doubts. SIMON MCEWAN reports.Read More ›
New Editor Appointed At Country Smallholding
Hello and welcome to our website! My name is Simon McEwan and I am delighted to be appointed editor of Country Smallholding.
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Time for Defra to listen
Smallholders have a voice at national level. Mary Marshall, an expert in animal diseases, is on stakeholder groups consulted by Defra. But she talked to CS about her dissatisfaction with the process, and her belief that the concerns of small scale livestock keepers are not being heard.Read More ›
Bluetongue - special report
Special report on the Defra approach to Bluetongue. Leading smallholder and CS columnist Alan Beat, who has made a study of the diseases, gives his views on DEFRA's approach.Read More ›
Foot and Mouth disease
SPECIAL REPORT: Foot and Mouth Disease. Country Smallholding looks at the effects of FMD, how the disease is spread and control measures advised by DEFRA.Read More ›
Avian Flu
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and/or nervous system of many species of birds.Read More ›
Avian influenza - latest advice
Victoria Roberts looks at some of the latest information for poultry keepers and pet owners on Defra’s website www.defra.gov.uk Read More ›
How can I tell if it's avian influenza?
Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS, Country Smallholding Vet's forum, describes the symptoms of Avian InfluenzaRead More ›
Avian influenza - preventative measures
Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS, Country Smallholding Vet's forum, suggests preventive measures for Avian Influenza:
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Avian flu - keeping poultry indoors
Katie Thear looks at the issues surrounding keeping poultry indoors in the light of the risk of avian flu Read More ›