Our Welsh Smallholding Journey
It all started with a dream: to live a somewhat simpler life, surrounded by nature and open spaces, where I could spend more time outdoors and give my dogs a better life.
I didn't want to go it alone. I knew this could be an opportunity to change Mum's life too, so I set out to convince her to come on this journey with me.
Two years later, after countless property viewings, plenty of stress and more than a little heartache, we made the decision to leave our comfortable life in Plymouth, surrounded by friends and family, and move to a smallholding in rural Wales.
And we've certainly got a project on our hands.
Our beautiful stone cottage needs plenty of TLC, while the outbuildings require extensive renovation. The property sits on just over 19 acres of Welsh countryside, but much of the land has been unmanaged for decades. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we're undeterred.
The Goal of The 19 Acre Project
One thing I've learned already is that smallholding projects can be expensive. Very expensive.
That's why the goal of The 19 Acre Project is to develop a productive and sustainable Welsh smallholding that can generate its own income and, ultimately, break even financially. The challenge is doing this while continuing to work a full-time job. We're not looking for rapid growth or trying to create a commercial farm overnight. Instead, the focus is on making practical improvements, restoring the land, developing sustainable systems and finding realistic ways for the smallholding to support itself over the long term.
Learning As We Go
Not everything will go to plan. There will be mistakes, unexpected costs, failed ideas, difficult decisions and plenty of learning along the way. But there will also be progress, improvements and those small wins that make all the hard work worthwhile.
We'll be sharing the reality of smallholding life in Wales, from land restoration and renovating old buildings to livestock, rural projects, self-sufficiency and the occasional mishap. So if you're interested in Welsh smallholding life, rural living, land restoration, self-sufficiency, livestock or following a real smallholding transformation, we'd love you to join us.
Come along with Sam, Kathy, Stanley and Finn as we embark on this life-changing journey.
19 acres of Welsh countryside. One full-time job. A long list of projects. And a lot to learn.
This is the 19 Acre Project.
