Cloudburst
11-5-2011, 01:48 pm
Hello.
This is my first time on here and I am not sure I will be able to get the help I need but here it goes.
I live on a 200 acre farm and have lived here all my life. Its 1 hour from Perth. My parents live on the same property in another house and have worked sheep and oats on it since the 60s. But they are nearly retired.
I am an environmental scientist and work on the farm when I can. However I am in need of a career change. I hate travelling to the city, and my love for the farm and the lifestyle makes me ask the question "What can I do on it?".
I have the opportunity to create something on this farm which will bring in a good income. Not only for me, but for my parents. As if nothing will be done on this farm, the only real option is for them to sell which they do not want.
So I am in the position to do something about it. Its just I do not know what to do. Sheep and oats have been a stable income in the past but not enough to live by on such an acreage. Its a decent amount of land so close to the city which allows so many opportunities.
I guess I am really asking for new ideas into what we could do. The family have posed this question for years and ideas have been all over the place. Some good ones, some wacky ones from piggery's, aquaculture and free range chickens to micro breweries, farm stays, grain storage and sales.
I know this is a difficult question to comment on not knowing the farm but throw us what you got. Maybe you know of an idea which has kicked off well for someone else. Maybe one that worked well in another country! Or maybe someone can simply point us in the right direction for assistance! Thanks in advance.
This is my first time on here and I am not sure I will be able to get the help I need but here it goes.
I live on a 200 acre farm and have lived here all my life. Its 1 hour from Perth. My parents live on the same property in another house and have worked sheep and oats on it since the 60s. But they are nearly retired.
I am an environmental scientist and work on the farm when I can. However I am in need of a career change. I hate travelling to the city, and my love for the farm and the lifestyle makes me ask the question "What can I do on it?".
I have the opportunity to create something on this farm which will bring in a good income. Not only for me, but for my parents. As if nothing will be done on this farm, the only real option is for them to sell which they do not want.
So I am in the position to do something about it. Its just I do not know what to do. Sheep and oats have been a stable income in the past but not enough to live by on such an acreage. Its a decent amount of land so close to the city which allows so many opportunities.
I guess I am really asking for new ideas into what we could do. The family have posed this question for years and ideas have been all over the place. Some good ones, some wacky ones from piggery's, aquaculture and free range chickens to micro breweries, farm stays, grain storage and sales.
I know this is a difficult question to comment on not knowing the farm but throw us what you got. Maybe you know of an idea which has kicked off well for someone else. Maybe one that worked well in another country! Or maybe someone can simply point us in the right direction for assistance! Thanks in advance.