Agriculture business ideas you can start for up to £20,000
39 ideas
These 39 agriculture ideas suit people who want a practical, land-based or rural trade without buying a full farm. Some are hands-on livestock businesses, such as small-scale pigs or sheep sold as meat boxes or a free-range egg supplier to local trade.
Small pick-your-own fruit or veg plot
Grow strawberries, raspberries or veg on a few rented acres and let local families pick their own in season.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Mobile farrier shoeing at the yard
Shape and fit horseshoes at livery yards and paddocks, working from a forge in your van.
- £4k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Forge workshop making custom horseshoes
Hand-make specialist and corrective shoes in your own forge for farriers, vets and owners.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small Christmas tree farm
Grow Christmas trees on a few rented acres and sell them direct to local families each December.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Native tree and hedging grower
Grow native trees and hedging plants on a small plot and sell to landscapers, farms and planting projects.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Online irrigation kit shop
Sell drip lines, timers and watering kits online to gardeners, allotment holders and polytunnel growers.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Online
Small sheep flock on rented grazing
Rent a few fields, keep a flock of breeding ewes and sell lambs to a market, a processor or direct.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small organic plot for salads and herbs
Start small on a rented plot or large garden, growing organic salad and herbs for local cafes, restaurants and neighbours.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Woodland management contractor
Do thinning, felling and extraction work for woodland owners and estates with your own chainsaw kit and a small tractor or ATV.
- £4k-20k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Small market garden selling direct
Grow vegetables on a rented acre or two and sell veg boxes, farm gate and market stall produce.
- £3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Polytunnel salad and veg grower
Grow salad leaves, tomatoes and veg in a polytunnel and sell to local cafes, shops and box customers.
- £1.5k-7k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small greenhouse plant nursery
Raise bedding plants, veg plug plants and perennials in a greenhouse and sell to gardeners and garden shops.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Field and grazing livery for a few horses
Rent out safe grazing and a simple shelter on spare land to owners who want a low-cost place for their horse.
- £1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Horse grass livery with basic care
Rent out paddock space to horse owners and check on their horses each day.
- £1k-8k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small-scale meat chickens and ducks
Rear batches of chickens, ducks or other birds on a smallholding and sell them direct for the table.
- £2k-10k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small wholesale nursery from a garden or plot
Grow a few lines of hardy plants in polytunnels and sell trays and pots to local landscapers and garden shops.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online farm parts and tools shop
Sell spares, hand tools and consumables to farmers and smallholders online, delivered to the farm gate.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online dairy parts and consumables supplier
Sell milking liners, filters, hoses and dairy hygiene supplies to farms online, with next-day delivery from a small stock room.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Online
Small-scale pig rearing with pork box sales
Rear a few outdoor pigs on your own or rented land and sell the pork direct to local customers.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Small breeding herd selling weaners and breeding stock
Keep a few breeding sows, often a rare breed, and sell weaners and gilts to smallholders and other pig keepers.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Vegetable wholesale delivery round
Buy veg in bulk from markets or growers and deliver to local restaurants, cafes and caterers.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small-scale pigs or sheep sold as meat boxes
Raise a small number of pigs or sheep on rented grazing and sell the meat direct to local customers.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Local hay and bedding delivery
Buy hay, haylage and bedding from local producers and deliver it to horse owners and smallholders nearby.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small grass and DIY livery yard
Rent out field space and a few basic stables to horse owners who look after their own horses.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
About these ideas
Others are lighter on animals and more about logistics, like bulk bag topsoil delivery or a feed and bedding delivery round. Before choosing, think about access to land or a yard, whether you need a vehicle or trailer, and how much time daily animal care will take. Check what registrations, licences and insurance apply to your chosen idea, and talk to your local council or relevant agencies early. Start small, price carefully and test demand before you spend the full £20,000.
More ideas
- Small market garden on rented land
- Free-range egg supplier to local trade
- Bee removal from buildings
- Full-time travelling shearing gang
- Small-plot veg grower with veg boxes
- Online farm shop with boxes and collection
- Small breeding sheep flock
- Rare breed breeding stock on a smallholding
- Turf delivery and supply service
- Small-plot Christmas tree grower
- Online tractor parts seller
- Mobile farrier round
- Feed and bedding delivery round
- Bark and mulch bulk bag delivery
- Bulk bag topsoil delivery
Questions
Do I need my own land to start an agriculture business in the UK?
Not always. Delivery rounds, mobile services and online supply businesses may need only a vehicle and storage. Livestock or growing ideas usually need land, rented or owned. Check tenancy terms, planning rules and whether your use of the land is permitted.
What should I check before keeping livestock for sale?
Check whether you need to register your holding or animals, and what rules cover movement, identification, welfare, record-keeping and slaughter or processing. Rules can vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so confirm with the relevant authority before buying stock.
How far will £20,000 go in an agriculture business?
It depends on the idea. A delivery round may need mainly a vehicle, trailer and insurance, while livestock needs stock, fencing, housing and feed. Build a budget that includes running costs and a cash buffer, and get real quotes before committing.