British farms are attracting modern consumers

Peterley Manor Farm has moved a long way from traditional farming. When Roger Brill, a fourth-generation farmer took over the farm in 1982, he grew and sold fruit and vegetables from the farm gate. Now the farm boasts a “wild spa” with outdoor ice baths and a wood-fired steam bath, yoga (瑜伽) classes in a Mongolian yurt (蒙古包).

Branching out has become the norm for modern farmers. Nearly 70% of farms in England are engaging in different commercial activities. Out of those with additional income streams, one in five earn more than half of their income from diversified initiatives. Half of farm-owners let out space for other activities, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); a fifth generate income from solar energy.

The decision to diversify may not be new: farmers have sought alternative income streams for decades. But the need has become more urgent. Farms have been squeezed by huge rises in energy costs and the rapidly increasing cost of agricultural labour in recent years. Increasingly unpredictable weather, including record amounts of rainfall, has made harvests less reliable. Changing subsidy (补贴) arrangements add to the uncertainty. DEFRA estimates that up to 42% of all farms are unprofitable without the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), a subsidy that was introduced in 2015 and is now ending.

Diversification brings new business for struggling farms. But adapting to consumer demands leaves them exposed to wider economic cycles. It also requires them to find workers with new skills. In future Peterley Manor Farm will need more marketers and chefs, for instance, and fewer farm hands. In one respect, though, things are not that different from old-fashioned farming. “The service industry is challenging,” says Ms. Brill. “It’s hard work and long hours.”

参考范文：

British farms have transformed from traditional farming to commercial services to seek more income. This shift is mainly due to the urgent need to cope with rising costs, unpredictable weather, and subsidy reforms. Despite new business opportunities, this diversification is still challenging with more demands for new skills and hard work.

本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍了英国农场已经从传统农业转向商业服务，以寻求更多收入。这种转变主要是由于迫切需要应对不断上涨的成本、不可预测的天气和补贴改革。尽管有新的商业机会，但这种多样化仍然具有挑战性，因为需要更多的新技能和努力工作。

(详解)

1. 要点摘录

①Branching out has become the norm for modern farmers. Nearly 70% of farms in England are engaging in different commercial activities.

②The decision to diversify may not be new: farmers have sought alternative income streams for decades. Increasingly unpredictable weather, including record amounts of rainfall, has made harvests less reliable.

③Farms have been squeezed by huge rises in energy costs and the rapidly increasing cost of agricultural labour in recent years. Changing subsidy arrangements add to the uncertainty.

④Diversification brings new business for struggling farms. But adapting to consumer demands leaves them exposed to wider economic cycles. It also requires them to find workers with new skills.

2. 缜密构思。将第1、4两个要点进行重组，将第2、3两个要点进行整合。

3. 遣词造句

British farms have shifted from traditional farming to commercial services in search of more income.

This shift is mainly driven by the urgent need to deal with rising costs, unpredictable weather and subsidy reform.

Despite the new business opportunities, but this kind of diversity is still challenging, because need more new skills and work hard.

(点睛)

(高分句型1) “British farms have transformed from traditional farming to commercial services to seek more income.” (运用了动词不定式to do作目的状语。)

(高分句型2) “Despite new business opportunities, this diversification is still challenging with more demands for new skills and hard work.” (运用了Despite的介词短语作状语。)