Farmers face many challenges in the modern world of agriculture. The Up Acre platform is breaking ground by revolutionising land diversification and supporting struggling landowners. It is a free-to-use online tool that can transform the landscape for farmers trying to sustain their farms in an increasingly complex environment.
In the UK, the agricultural sector has been grappling with many issues, including the cessation of the Basic Payment Scheme, complexities of new environmental grants, and encroachment of land grabbers on struggling farmers. These challenges have made it difficult for farmers to maintain profitable agricultural operations. Up Acre offers free support to help farmers diversify their land and ensure the continuity of farming for future generations.
Up Acre was founded in 2023 by Hal Brotherton-Ratcliffe and his father, Tony. They realised the significant hurdles landowners face in today's market, particularly within farming. With Hal's background in tech and property development and the family's deep understanding of the complexities of land management, Up Acre was conceptualised as a solution to streamline the diversification process and provide accessible support to farmers.
The traditional method of seeking advice from land agents needs to be improved in addressing landowners' pressing needs. Up Acre aims to fill this gap by offering a user-friendly platform that allows landowners to explore diversification options tailored to their land within minutes. By collaborating with top diversification companies and geospatial data specialists, Up Acre ensures accuracy and efficiency in presenting viable options to landowners.
The Up Acre platform uses over 20 million data points, pulling data from live ordnance survey maps to specific GIS information in ecology and agricultural-grade land. Up Acre has also created its own financial modelling data specific to Postcodes and regional data, all of which are carefully worked into an algorithm to give landowners the best diversification options for their land.
According to the latest Anderson report, over 68% of farmers are already having to look to diversification to sustain their farming practices. The average diversification generates £24,000 income per annum per holding with a 15% internal rate of return. Up Acre, on the other hand, is expected to generate an internal rate of return at a minimum of 37.5%, with over 7,000 acres predicted to be diversified by the end of 2024.
So, how does Up Acre work? It's as simple as three easy steps:
1. Visit Up-Acre.co.uk and enter the postcode of the land you wish to diversify.
2. Use the interactive map feature to outline the desired area for exploration. Once the area is mapped, submit your request.
3. Sit back as Up Acre's sophisticated algorithm analyses the data points specific to your land, presenting you with various diversification options specific to your land. (All Grade 1 land is automatically excluded from consideration)
Up Acre offers a wide range of farm diversification options, from renewables such as Solar and Wind to Nature Capital Solutions such as BNG and Carbon Offsetting. The platform also includes grants, housing, and camping/Agritourism.
Up Acre ensures ongoing support throughout the diversification process, with a dedicated team of experts available to provide personalised assistance and guidance. By fostering a culture of trust and transparency, Up Acre aims to empower farmers to make informed decisions about the future of their land.
However, legal agreements, contracts, budgeting, tax, and planning must always be considered. Diversification can be an exciting and profitable exercise, but it can also be risky, so seeking professional advice is essential when bringing alternative land projects to fruition.
So, whether you're facing financial strain or contemplating the future of your farm, why not give Up Acre a try?
In just a few minutes, you could unlock many opportunities to keep your farm thriving for generations—the diversification process. Whether answering questions, providing additional information, or facilitating introductions to project partners, Up Acre is committed to supporting landowners every step of the way.
In addition to its user-friendly interface and expert support, Up Acre's impact extends far beyond the individual landowner. By facilitating sustainable diversification projects, Up Acre contributes to the long-term viability of the agricultural sector and helps safeguard the future of food production in the UK. From renewable energy projects to nature-based solutions, Up Acre's diversification options generate additional income for farmers and contribute to environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.
