AS traditional farming bears witness to a steady decline, North Yorkshire County Council's Farm Diversification Initiative is helping farmers move into a wide variety of new business areas.

Farm diversification projects recently approved include businesses as varied as an all-weather horse gallop facility, a portaloo-hire business and the development of an art studio. Farmers registered on the programme not only receive funding, but advice and support to help them through the transition from traditional farmer to entrepreneur.

Farming is now at its poorest state since 1945 and over the past year it has become increasingly vital for farmers to diversify into new areas of activity to ensure that their businesses remain commercially viable. Farmers cite their vision of a lack of a profitable future as the principal reason behind a decision to diversify.

The farm diversification scheme run by North Yorkshire County Council aims to increase farm incomes, and subsequent profit margins, and create and maintain local employment.

Peter Lang, of Broadway Foot Farm in Hawnby, York, has seen the development of his wife's art studio attract visitors to the area, resulting increased business for local B & Bs. The farm diversification grant he and his wife received has enabled them to repair a barn on the land, install central heating, allowing for all-year-round art courses.

Mrs Lang used to teach the classes in their home but the development of the barn into an art studio has meant that a greater number of students can be accommodated.

The 5b funds the Langs have received has also afforded them the opportunity to print promotional brochures and advertise their courses in the art press to secure the enrolment of new students. Peter and Anne still run the very successful Ryedale Herd of pedigree Limousin cattle.

Ian and Anne Hamilton of Clay Walls Farm in Capheaton have built a five-furlong all-weather horse gallop with the aid of a 40pc grant from North Yorkshire County Council's Farm Diversification Scheme.

Having been involved in farming all their working lives, the Hamiltons have seen many changes occur in their industry. They moved into this new area of business from cattle and sheep farming, something which they still do, but to a much lesser extent.

During the last four years, the Hamiltons have witnessed the price of sheep drop by 50pc, from £50 per sheep to a current price of £25, and therefore viewed diversification as a necessity. Their all-weather horse gallop is used to train all breeds of horses, and is particularly popular in the winter months.

A further diversification scheme supported by North Yorkshire County Council involves the hire of portaloos for both event and construction sites. Andrew Petch and Neal Waters of Petch Waters received a 30pc grant from the council's farm diversification initiative which enabled their new business plans to progress at a much quicker pace.

Formerly involved in pig, sheep and arable farming, they were forced to sell their pigs as they were no longer rendering a profit, but are still engaged in sheep and arable farming alongside their new venture. They hope that they can continue their success with their new venture into the coming years.

Jonathan French, economic development officer at North Yorkshire County Council, comments: "We are seeing that traditional farming is increasingly becoming a thing of the past.

"Necessity demands that farmers look to new business opportunities as a means of staying afloat. However, the wide range of diversifications on the county council's scheme gives me immense confidence that farming communities in North Yorkshire will not begin to wither away. On the contrary, I believe they will thrive, but in a less conventional manner".