By James Cleland, Greenmount HND Agriculture student 2001- 2004

After completing the HND in Agriculture at Greenmount, I spent six months in New Zealand to broaden my experience of life. I then returned home to the family farm at Ballee, Downpatrick where we milk 150 dairy cows. Soon after returning home I realised that I needed additional income and I started up my own diversification business ‘Ballee Blooms’ producing and selling cut flowers to local florists.

The idea for Ballee Blooms arose following my attendance at a workshop at Greenmount where the opportunities for cut flower production were discussed. I seized the opportunity and Ballee Blooms is now in its third year of business. I specialise in producing high quality lilies and I pride myself in delivering a reliable and consistent service to my customers.

My local Rural Enterprise Adviser, Aveen McMullan helped me to develop my business idea and suggested that I enrol on CAFRE’s, Diversification Challenge- Business Start programme as part of the process. Attendance at this programme was very beneficial as it helped me to develop the business. A range of different management topics were covered in each of the evening workshops including marketing, finance, ICT, selling and presentational skills and time management. I found the session on ‘selling skills’ particularly beneficial as it helped to develop my confidence when approaching new and existing customers and this has resulted in increased sales. The hands-on ICT workshops gave me an insight into how ICT could benefit my business through the use of modern systems and technologies.

The training workshops were held in Lisburn which was central to all those attending the programme. I enjoyed meeting the other diversifiers on a weekly basis to chat and we learned from each other. We shared experiences, discussed our business ideas and on more than one occasion we sampled food products produced by participants as part of their market research.

Although it was a big step to start up a new business I am delighted that I made the move particularly as milk production has been in the doldrums for the last year. It has been a sea-change from milking cows to selling lilies directly to the public. If you are thinking of starting a new business on your farm don’t hesitate – get in touch with your Rural Development Adviser and enrol on the Diversification Challenge start –up programme. Exchanging ideas with other like-minded people will help you along.

James Cleland pictured with a crop of Ballee quality lilies