This page lists all the UK smallholding groups, associations and societies that I have been able to find online. There are a surprising number of smallholder clubs around so it’s likely that there will be one somewhere near you!
Last update: 20 May 2024
- 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! - 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. - 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
DSA 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. - 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 - 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. - 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 Yorkshire Smallholders
A group on Facebook for Yorkshire-based smallholders - Severnvale Smallholders Association
A group of people whose main interests are: Flora and Fauna, the Environment, Conservation and Organic Growing - 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. - 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. - 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 - 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!
I have got 2 acres of pasture land and I am getting trouble with the Leicestershire Council is there a organisation to help us in these matters because the Internet says I can put livestock on it I have got me holders number but the cancels dead against me doing farming on it is there a hotline number I can call call to discuss that issues because the council are pretty well negative attitude
If your land is officially registered as “agricultural land” then I’m not sure that the Council can have any say in the matter unless there are other factors around this. You can see more about the land use codes here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rural-payments-land-use-codes-2020
Have you asked the Council to explain their reasons in detail? If they have something specific then perhaps you can address that so they are happy for you to continue?
Good luck
I have acquired a small holding of 2 acres and need the grass cutting . How do I go about finding a local farmer to do this ?
I would suggest that you talk to neighbours or other local people with similar setups to see what they do
Alternatively, can you contact the previous owners and get some ideas from them?
Hello, currently looking for a few acres to buy/lease/rent for a flower growing business in the south east of Sheffield area. Is there a small holders association in that area? Can you give us some suggestions of who to contact to look for land? Kind regards
I’ve reviewed this list of smallholder groups and added a couple of new ones which might be close enough to help you.
I expect you’ve already tried it but when looking for land to buy you could search on UK Land & Farms (https://www.uklandandfarms.co.uk/). Alternatively I would suggest searching for general smallholding/farming groups on Facebook and posting a question on there.