This page lists the smallholding groups, associations and societies that I was able to find online. There are a surprising number of smallholder clubs around so it’s very likely that there will be one somewhere near you!
Last updated: 2 May 2019
- Cambridgeshire Self Sufficiency Group
The Cambridgeshire Self Sufficiency Group was started by a few like minded people in 2010. Members’ resources range from a postage stamp garden or window box to those with several acres but the aim is the same – to be a little more Self Sufficient! - Central Scotland Smallholders Association
The CSSA are a group of aspiring and existing smallholders who get together to share knowledge, experiences, and socialise. - Ceredigion Smallholders and Pets
A Facebook group which can be used for advice as well as selling/swapping livestock and pets or for advertising your services related to smallholdings, farms and pets. This is a closed group so new users must first apply to join and be approved. - Cheshire Smallholders Association
This is a group of small-scale and hobby farmers, horse enthusiasts and countryside lovers. The livestock interests of members include sheep, goats, pigs and cattle, chickens, ducks and geese while many keep horses/ponies plus a few llamas and alpacas - Cornish Association of Smallholders and Producers
A group of smallholders and craft producers in the south-west of England which runs the Lostwithiel Local Produce Market as a shared outlet for members to sell their fine produce and crafts locally at fair prices. - Cumbrian Smallholders [Facebook]
A Facebook group providing a place Cumbrian smallholders to connect with others, share information and advertise stock for sale or wanted. This is a closed group so new users must apply to join and be approved before getting access - Derbyshire Smallholders Association
The Derbyshire Smallholders Association was formed in 2001 by a group of like minded people with the aim of providing the opportunity for fellow smallholders and those with just an interest in smallholding, to network and to pass on skills and information - Devon Association Of Smallholders (DASH)
DASH is a friendly, non-profit making organisation who aims to provide its members with support and training in topics such as land management, welfare of livestock, horticultural and safe use of machinery. - Dyfed Smallholders
The Dyfed Smallholder’s Association has been active for over 21 years and is one of the oldest smallholder groups in the UK. Membership of the association provides benefits such as a monthly newsletter, regular meetings featuring guest speakers, access to - East Essex Smallholders Group
The group was formally constituted in July 2011 by a group of micro farmers who operate different size “smallholdings”; some have a few backyard chickens, maybe grow a few fruit or vegetables while others may have pigs or sheep. - East Midlands Smallholders Association
A Facebook group for the East Midlands created because Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and Rutland were not represented by a smallholding association. The aim is to get it up and running then put in place a program of events - East Riding Smallholders Society
A society of smallholders, ‘home’ farmers, small-scale agriculturalists, horticulturalists, self-sufficiency enthusiasts, country craftspeople, and all who have rural interests or are motivated to make productive their own small portion of the Earth - Fenland Smallholders Club
In 1976 a new club was formed and named Fenland Goatkeepers & Smallholders Club and forty years later the group are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary. In October 1994 the Club became the more general smallholders group it is today. - Guernsey Smallholders' Association
The Guernsey Smallholders group is a practical and social club which forms a network of people who can offer each other advice, support & help and which also facilitates the exchange of produce, skills and ideas. - Kent Smallholders
Formed in 1987 by Hadlow College, to whom they are affiliated. They hold monthly meetings at the college with like minded people, who enjoy the countryside and the rural way of life, which are their only criteria for membership. - Mongomeryshire and district smallholders
This is an active Facebook page for a friendly informal group interested in growing and producing food and all things rural. - Norfolk Smallholders Training Group (NSTG)
NSTG was set up in the late 1980s by a group of volunteers and now has members all over Norfolk (and beyond). Each month they organise low-cost training courses and over the spring and summer they have visits to each other’s holdings. - North Pennines Smallholders
a newly established group which aims to bring together smallholders, gardeners and landowners from across the North Pennines and the surrounding areas. - North Shropshire & Borders Smallholders Group
The group always welcomes new members, so if you have a window box or acres why not come along to one of the meetings, enjoy an informative talk and afterwards chat and exchange ideas with other like minded people over tea and coffee. - North Yorkshire Smallholders Society
A group set up to help the smallholders of North Yorkshire and the North of England. If you keep sheep, pigs, hens or horses, grow vegetables or any other small farming activity then this could be the society for you. - Northumbria Smallholders Association
A group of like minded people from the North East of England who enjoy the countryside and all that goes with it. The group formed following a smallholders course at Kirkley Hall College.over 21 years ago and now offers a range of events through the year - Romford Smallholders Society
Formed in 1911, the Romford Smallholders Society has been providing allotments in Romford for over 100 years. They are a friendly community and welcome every gardener from complete novices to prize winners. - Scottish Smallholders Association
The Scottish Smallholders Association has been in existence for more than 20 years, with members from all over Scotland, although most are from the Central West and South West of Scotland. - Severnvale Smallholders Association
A group of people whose main interests are: Flora and Fauna, the Environment, Conservation and Organic Growing - Shropshire Smallholders Group
This is a non-profit organisation which provides members with information and mutual support in all aspects of smallholding including animal husbandry, growing fruit & vegetables and general smallholding interests. - Small Farm Training Group
Sussex-based, SFTG enables ‘Nil to 60 acre’ members to learn better farming, smallholding and horticultural skills. SFTG has frequent courses, regular meetings, Open Days, 3 newsletters a year, well-stocked library and a web Forum for queries or ads. - Somerset Smallholders Association
This was set up more than 30 years ago to bring together folk who have an interest in rural activities. Whether you have a flowerpot or a farm, you are welcome to join a friendly group of Somerset-based working smallholders, whose activities cover many as - South West Wales Smallholders [Facebook]
A Facebook group for all those who have a smallholding in South West Wales, you can advertise for sale or wants and get answers to your questions. This is an open group so all Facebook users can read the content and post without first being approved. - Staffordshire Smallholders Association
The Staffordshire Smallholders Association is a small but lively group of families and individuals who share an interest in the small farming way of life. You don’t need to have a farm, a smallholding, an allotment or even a window box to join. - Suffolk Smallholders Society
The Suffolk Smallholders Society is a non- profit group of like minded people interested in smallholding, self sufficiency, allotments, fruit and vegetable growing and animal husbandry on a small scale. - Surrey Smallholders
A group of likeminded people who have set up an association which serves the needs and interests of existing and aspiring smallholders, whether smallholding is pursued as an interest, lifestyle or as a business - West Sussex Smallholders Club
The West Sussex Smallholders Club has grown steadily since it was founded in July 2005 by a group of like-minded friends under the guidance of Brinsbury College. Despite the name, the club serves West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey & Hampshire. - Wiltshire Smallholders Group [Facebook]
This is a Facebook group for smallholders based in the Wiltshire area which provides a place to talk about smallholding whether it be livestock or pets. This is a closed group so new users must first apply to join and be approved.
Following a suggestion in the comments I’ve also included a link to the Accidental Smallholder. Although not strictly speaking a smallholder society or group, there is lots of useful smallholding information and the forum is particularly informative.
Please let me know via the comment facility at the bottom of the page if you spot any mistakes with the smallholder group information or if there are other smallholding groups or societies that should be included.
Found you on Twitter. This is a really helpful post – thanks for putting it together.
Great resource. However, you’re missing the Central Scotland Smallholder Association. There’s a link on the DASH Smallholders Associations page. And I’d list the online Smallholders Forum at The Accidental Smallholder, too.
Thanks for the tip and I did have Central Scotland Smallholder Association included in the past but the web address doesn’t point to a valid website (just a holding page) so I have excluded them for now.
Eventually I may expand the list here to include other groups that don’t have a web presence but for now I’m only including those with working websites
Hi there. Could you please add North Shropshire and Borders Smallholder Group. We are a friendly group with varied interests: from window boxes to acres and everything inbetween. Regular meetings held monthly on a Wednesday evening at Llanyblodwel & Porthywaen Memorial Institute. The group always welcomes new members. Enjoy an informative talk and afterwards chat and exchange ideas with other like minded people over tea,coffee and cake. http://northshrop-smallholder.co.uk/
Thanks for the comment Su however I’m a bit stumped because the North Shrops and Borders group was already listed? I’ve double-checked the information though just in case…
Hi. There is a recently formed Surrey Smallholders Association. Can you add us to your list. http://Www.surreysmallholders.org
Hi Jennie, thanks for letting me know. I’ve added the Surrey group to this list and I’ll also include their details in my next quarterly update for the listings shown in Home Farmer
Hello, Richard
We are an eclectic & friendly mix of smallholders, gardeners, growers – pro-am – with an interest in supporting organics & traditional rural skills. Meeting once-a-month, around Mayo in the West of Ireland, but also running workshops, & working sessions, our website is: http://www.mayoorganicgroup.org, Facebook page as well, & open to all ages. Please add us to your listing – many of members are either ex-UK citizens, or have lived abroad.
Thank you Richard for sharing this interesting list of smallholders groups. The spread really shows the vibrancy and character of UK smallholdings and is a great encouragement for getting started wherever you are in the UK and Ireland.
Morning, the Staffordshire link seems to go to a blank page…?
Thanks for letting me know. I get the same thing when I tried it just now so it looks like their web domain has expired. I’ll see if there’s an alternative location for them now
Thanks!
hi could you please add Cambridgeshire self sufficiency group to your list. As a group we try to encourage people to get involved in living in a more sustainable way ,and pride our selves on being a member led group sharing knowledge ideas. we have a monthly news letter and meetings provide free workshops unless we need to bring in some one from outside the group to lead it then there is a small charge. we welcome all members from a window box to a small farm or allotment. one of our main events is the popular Cambridgeshire potato day
kind regards Mick Matthews Chairman
Link added as requested – good luck with the group!