Blog
Seasonal guides, free tools and stories from The Farm Stall.
Taking Card Payments at a Farmers Market or Pop-Up Stall
No fixed pitch, no QR code already printed, maybe no signal — here's how to take card payments away from your usual spot, without renting a card machine.
22 June 2026
How to Take Christmas Turkey Pre-Orders Online (With a Deposit)
Every turkey weighs something different, so charging full price before it's dressed never quite works. Here's how to take deposits online and collect the exact balance once you know the real weight.
22 June 2026
QR Codes vs Click & Collect vs Payment Links: Which One Do You Need?
Three different ways to take card payments on The Farm Stall, each built for a different kind of sale. Here's how to pick the right one — or use all three.
22 June 2026
How to Write an Environmental Policy for a Farm Shop or Farm Attraction
An environmental policy isn't just paperwork — for farm shops and attractions it's a genuine marketing asset. Here's what yours should cover, with a complete template to adapt and use.
17 June 2026
Fire Risk Assessment for Farm Shops and Farm Attractions: A Complete Guide
Running a farm shop, café, PYO or farm attraction in the UK? A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement. Here's exactly what you need to cover — with checklists, an extinguisher guide and a blank template.
17 June 2026
Do I Need a Food Hygiene Certificate to Sell at a Farm Stall?
Short answer: it's not legally required, but it's strongly recommended. Here's what you actually need to sell food safely and legally from a farm stall or honesty box in the UK.
17 June 2026
How to Write a Health and Safety Policy for a Farm Shop or Farm Attraction
Running a farm shop, café, PYO or farm attraction? A health and safety policy is a legal requirement for businesses with five or more staff — and best practice for everyone. Here's exactly what yours must cover.
17 June 2026
What Is the Difference Between a Heifer, a Cow and a Bull?
Cow, heifer, bull, steer, calf — cattle have more names than most animals. Here's exactly what each term means and how to tell them apart at a glance.
17 June 2026
How Much Milk Does a Cow Produce Per Day?
A modern dairy cow can produce over 30 litres of milk every single day — but it varies hugely by breed. Here's what to expect from Holstein-Friesians, Jerseys, Guernseys and more.
17 June 2026
How to Create a HACCP Plan for a Farm Shop or Food Business
A plain-English guide to writing a HACCP food safety plan — what it is, why it's a legal requirement, and how to work through all seven principles with practical UK farming examples.
17 June 2026
How to Label Homemade Jam for Sale in the UK
Selling homemade jam at a farm stall, honesty box or market? UK food labelling law has specific requirements. Here's exactly what must go on your label — and what you'll need to print it.
17 June 2026
How to Register as a Food Business in the UK
Selling food from a farm stall, honesty box or market? Here's exactly how to register as a food business in the UK — it's free, straightforward, and most people can do it in under 20 minutes.
17 June 2026
How to Sell Honey from Home in the UK: The Complete Guide
Keeping bees and want to sell your honey? Here's everything you need to know about selling honey legally from home in the UK — from labelling rules to pricing and finding buyers.
17 June 2026
How to Tell if Eggs Are Fresh: The Float Test and Other Methods
Not sure how fresh your eggs are? The float test is the most well-known method — but there are faster and more reliable ways to check. Here's everything you need to know.
17 June 2026
Why Is Food from a Farm Shop More Expensive Than a Supermarket?
Farm shop prices can seem steep compared to a supermarket — but there are real reasons behind the difference. Here's what you're actually paying for, and why it's often worth it.
17 June 2026
Does My Farm Shop Need a Website?
Most farm shops and honesty boxes don't need a custom website — they need to be found online. Here's what actually works, and what it costs.
16 June 2026
How to Accept Card Payments at Your Honesty Box
Cash-only honesty boxes lose sales every day. Here's how to add contactless card payments with a simple printed QR code — no card reader, no hardware, no monthly fee.
16 June 2026
How to Sell Eggs from Home in the UK: The Complete Guide
Keeping chickens and want to sell your surplus eggs? Here's everything you need to know about selling eggs legally from home in the UK — from flock size rules to pricing and getting found by buyers.
16 June 2026
How to Set Up an Honesty Box: The Complete UK Guide
Everything you need to know about starting a farm gate honesty box in the UK — from choosing the right box to accepting card payments.
16 June 2026
Smart Lockers for Farm Shops: The Future of Unattended Selling
API-connected smart lockers could transform how UK farm shops and honesty boxes work — letting buyers collect pre-paid orders at any time, securely, with no staff needed.
16 June 2026
What Is the Difference Between Hay, Straw and Silage?
Hay, straw and silage all start out as grass or crops in a field - but they end up doing completely different jobs. Here's how to tell them apart.
15 June 2026
Egg Profit Calculator: Honesty Box & Small Flock (UK)
Work out your annual profit, break-even egg price and capital payback period for a small laying flock - honesty box, farm gate or market sales.
15 June 2026
Glamping Profit Calculator: Shepherd's Hut, Pod & Cabin Income (UK)
Model seasonal occupancy, platform commission, running costs and capital payback for a UK glamping unit - shepherd's hut, bell tent, pod, yurt, treehouse or cabin.
15 June 2026
Livestock Demand Calculator: How Many Cattle, Sheep or Pigs Do You Need? (UK)
Work backwards from your monthly cut demand - enter the burgers, steaks and joints you sell each month and find out how many animals you need to process, how often, and which cut is your limiting factor.
15 June 2026
Meat Yield Calculator: Beef, Lamb & Pork Cuts (UK)
Work out the retail cuts, weight and value from a beef, lamb or pork animal - liveweight to retail yield, cut-by-cut breakdown and direct sales margin.
15 June 2026
A Season-by-Season Guide to UK Farm Produce
What to look out for at farm shops and honesty boxes throughout the year, from spring asparagus to winter roots.
1 June 2026
Why Honesty Boxes Deserve Your Trust (and Your Coins)
Roadside honesty boxes are a quietly brilliant bit of British life. Here's why they work, what to buy, and how to find the best ones near you.
15 May 2026
Listing Your Stall on The Farm Stall: A Quick-Start Guide
Thinking about adding your farm shop, honesty box or stall to The Farm Stall? Here's how to get set up in a few minutes — free, no card required.
1 May 2026