Agriculture and forestry

Farm shops serve their local communities and have also gained popularity with tourists wanting to buy locally produced food items. Our guide covers the key issues for starting and running your own farm shop.

Farm suppliers provide a wide range of essential goods and services to local agricultural and land-based businesses. Get the essentials for starting up and running your own farm supply business in our practical guide.

Farriers attend to horses' feet and re-shoe them using correctly sized ready-made shoes or bespoke shoes made from metal. The work requires skill and physical fitness. Our guide will help you to start up and run your own farriery business.

If you love horses and working outdoors, running a livery stable could be the right choice for you. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your own business.

Demand for organic produce is growing but remember that your land must be certified as organic and you must be registered with a body like the Soil Association. Our guide will help you start up and run your own organic farm business.

Pigs are produced outdoors or indoors, with outdoor production the lower cost option for new pig farmers. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own pig farm in our practical guide.

Thinking of running a plant nursery? You'll need to be physically fit and enjoy working outdoors in all weathers. You'll find all you need to start up and run your own business in our practical guide.

If you're planning on running a poultry farm you'll need to decide whether you'll focus on egg production or on producing birds for the table. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your poultry business.

If you're aiming to earn a living from your smallholding, you'll need to be physically fit, innovative and enjoy working outdoors in all weathers. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your smallholding venture.

You'll need a head for heights and good practical skills to work as a tree surgeon and you'll have to put in place excellent safety procedures. Our practical guide will help you start up and run your tree services business.

If you're knowledgeable about growing turf and prepared to work outside in all weathers, then a turf supply venture might be the right option. Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own turf supply business.

As a qualified and experienced vet you may decide to set up your own practice. Will you specialise in companion animals or large animals? Check out our practical guide for help with starting and running your own veterinary practice.