Exhibitor Spotlight: National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN)

Tell us about your business.

The National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) is the UK’s association for farm attractions and farmers looking to diversify into the visitor attraction sector.

Our members range from established farm parks welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to farmers just starting on their visitor attraction journey.

What makes NFAN special is our community. Our members openly share ideas, experiences and advice; what works, what doesn’t and what they’ve learnt along the way. Through events, training, study tours, benchmarking, our very active WhatsApp groups and industry guidance, we help farm attractions Meet, Share and Grow.

If you’re thinking about turning part of your farm into an attraction, or you’ve already started; you don’t have to do it alone.

What’s new or exciting that you’ll be showcasing at Farm Business Innovation?

We’ll be showcasing just how much opportunity there is in the farm attraction sector and how NFAN can help farmers turn a great diversification idea into a successful business.

From pumpkin patches and Christmas experiences to indoor play, food, events there are so many different ways to welcome the public to your business.

We’ll also be sharing some of the latest ideas, trends and experiences from our members around the UK. One of the great things about NFAN is that there’s always someone in the network who has tried something you’re considering and are usually happy to talk about it!

What can visitors expect when they visit your stand?

A very warm welcome!

Come and have an informal chat with the NFAN team about your farm, your ideas and where you are on your diversification journey. Whether you’re wondering “Could this work on my farm?” or you already have an established attraction and want to take it to the next level, we’d love to meet you.

We can tell you more about the sector, introduce you to the NFAN community and explain the events, training, networking, advice and support available to members.

And because some of the best conversations start with other farmers, we can also help connect you with people who have faced many of the same questions and challenges as you.

Can you share a customer success story or example of how your products or services have made an impact?

One of our members, Joe Gurney from The Patch MK, began diversifying his farm business in 2021 and discovered NFAN through a conversation with another farm park.

Joe describes joining NFAN as a “game-changer”, helping him grow his business faster and make decisions with much more confidence.

That sums up what NFAN is all about. Diversification can be incredibly exciting, but there are lots of decisions to make and lessons to learn. Having a network of experienced operators at the end of the phone and being able to ask, “Has anyone tried this?” can save an enormous amount of time, money and worry.

Why is attending Farm Business Innovation important for the industry?

Farming is constantly evolving, and diversification can provide exciting new income streams and help build more resilient farm businesses.

But knowing where to start, or what to do next, can be daunting.

Farm Business Innovation brings farmers, experts, suppliers and people who have already diversified together in one place. It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new ideas, ask questions, make useful contacts and hear first-hand what is working for other businesses.

Sometimes one conversation or one new idea can completely change the direction of a diversification project, which is why events like this are so valuable.

What’s the one thing visitors shouldn’t miss on your stand?

Come and talk to us before you spend the money!

If you’re considering a farm attraction or visitor-based diversification, there’s a huge amount you can learn from people who have already done it.

Come and tell us your idea. We can explain how NFAN works, share some of the experience within our network and show you why being part of a community of fellow farm attraction operators can be invaluable.

You might arrive with one idea and leave with ten more!

Come and meet NFAN at FM512, and discover how we can help you Meet, Share and Grow - Secure your free pass