Adding Value
With land availability being, a key barrier for new entrants, expansion is not necessarily an option for many. However, by adding value to the produce, can allow the output, to be increased, without further land being required.
We have numerous resources available to aid in understanding adding value and the options available including:
Videos and Webinars
Diversification on a Shoestring - Case Study of West Moss-side Organic Farm & Comrie Croft
Are you ready to take your farm to the next level? Watch our video showcasing two farms that have repurposed their unutilised assets and diversified with little investment. Click to watch the case studies of West Moss-side Farm and Comrie Croft. Watch here >>
New Entrants – East Neuk Market Garden
East Neuk Market Garden is a small-scale agroecological farm growing a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and salads in Fife. Leaving London in 2017, Tom and Connie went to work on organic farms in France, Spain and Portugal, before working at Pillars of Hercules in Falkland in the spring of 2018. They are passionate about growing fresh produce and supplying local people in a way which enhances and regenerates the wider ecosystem. Read more>>
Case Study: Isle of Mull Cheese
Isle of Mull Cheese is a traditional farming business adding value to milk by making artisan cheese. Chris and Jeff Reade were first generation farmers in Somerset before moving to the island in the 1980’s. Read more >>
New Entrants – Annfield Farm Scottish Mohair
Annfield Farm is a traditional mixed farm based near Dunfermline in Fife. Andrew and Laury-Anne have diversified by introducing Angora Goats as a unique way to add value to wool, which is often seen as an undervalued, waste product. Read more>>
Rootin' and Roamin' Pork
Ian Buchanan is a New Entrant farmer from Kinross-shire producing free-range pork from rare breed pigs along with grass fed beef from their herd of pedigree dexter cows. Diversifying the family farm has enabled Ian to branch out and carve his own path in agriculture. Selling direct to the public through farmers markets and hog roasts are very personally and financially rewarding. Read more>>
Engaging with Consumers – Wilson’s Farm and Kitchen
Wilson's Farm and Kitchen is a unique agritourism experience based in the Scottish Borders showcasing the very best in food, farming and the countryside. Robert and Lucy offer a range of farm tours and food experiences throughout the year for couples, families and small groups. Wilson's Farm and Kitchen celebrate their own home-grown produce and provide guests with an authentic field to fork experience. Read more>>
West Moss-side Organic Farm – A Sustainable Farming Landscape Webinar
West Moss-side Organic Farm has a strong connection with wildlife, conservation, and sustainability. Read more >>
Video: New Entrants With Added Value - Morton's Milk
Morton’s Milk is a family business based at Auchinbay Farm in Ayrshire. David and Gillian Morton farm 500 acres milking 320 Holstein cows and store 120 Belgian Blue cross-dairy cattle. Morton’s Milk Farm Shop opened in February 2020 selling fresh milk via a milk vending machine. The business quickly expanded during the summer to offer a wide range of fresh produce from the farm and from a wide range of local suppliers. Alongside their milk, Morton’s Milk currently sell produce from 26 local suppliers from across Ayrshire with an ever-expanding range of meat, vegetables, jams, preserves, ice cream, confectionary, and other high quality produce. Watch here>>
Video: New Entrants With Added Value - Glenkilrie Larder
Andrew and Lauren Houstoun farm at Glenkilrie, a 2,500 acre hill farm at the bottom of Glenshee on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park in Highland Perthshire. Glenkilrie is home to 1,100 breeding ewes, 160 suckler cows, and 55 red deer hinds. Glenkilrie Larder was set up in 2019 after purchasing deer in 2018. Glenkilrie Larder provides a market for their venison, beef, and lamb through direct selling to the public via home deliveries, farmers markets and events, with plans to expand by refurbishing old farm outbuildings to create a farm shop for passing trade. Watch here>>
Video: New Entrants With Added Value - Westerton Farmers
Fiona Smith is the 4th generation farmer at Westerton Farmers, farming alongside her father and a close-knit team. The family bought the first farm in 1920 and have grown the business ever since. The farm is all arable; growing spring barley for malting, wheat for distilling, seed and ware potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables. Watch here>>
Podcasts
Podcast: Capitalising on Assets - Carfrae Farm
Taking on a farm or croft for the first time is an exciting opportunity but as New Entrants there can be challenges along the way.
We speak to Trudi Cueto from Carfrae Farm to discuss their diversification journey and the wide range of exciting activities available to the public on the farm. Listen here>>
Factsheets and Downloads
Capitalising On Assets
As New Entrants into agriculture taking on a farm or croft for the first time, there can often be some hurdles to jump over. These may include sourcing land, livestock, machinery, and obtaining finance to fulfil your ambitions. Generating cash flow quickly from limited resources can be a challenge but is the best way to make positive steps and start growing your business. Read more>>
Engaging with Consumers - Part 2
Having read Engaging with Consumers – Part 1 and now decided that you want to diversify your farm business, there are a few things to think about. Click to download the factsheet and learn what steps you can take. Read more>>
Engaging with Consumers - Part 1
Engaging with consumers may not be the first thing you think about when putting your wellies on and heading out onto your farm or croft in the morning, but it may be an important step for you to diversify your business. Read more>>
Article: Direct Marketing: Glasrai Case Study
Land values restrict the opportunities available to new entrants and to existing business looking to expand, limiting the area they can afford to purchase. So how do you make the most of a small land area? Glasraí Organic Farm in Hollymount, Co Mayo, Ireland, is a business which has tackled such a challenge.
Glasraí Organic Farm is a 7-acre certified organic farm, operated by Aoife Reilly and her husband Joe along with 5 employees. Aoife and Joe have built the business up from a grass 1 acre grass field in 2016 up to producing 40-50t of veg annually, along with eggs which the business direct markets to the consumer. Read here>>>
Boxed Produce
Boxed produce can be a good method of adding value to your finished livestock and/or fruit/vegetable production. A meat or veg box scheme is an operation where producers deliver fresh produce directly to customers, or via a local collection point. Boxed produce can increase profitability and output for Small to Medium sized (SME) rural businesses, and provide consumers with the opportunity to buy fresh, local produce delivered directly to their door. Read more>>
Agri-Tourism - Glamping
Glamping pods, Wigwams, and Yurts, may be a suitable diversification option for farmers, landowners and/or rural businesses. Glamping has become a popular attraction for UK holidaymakers and overseas tourists seeking the luxuries of hotel accommodation alongside the freedom and adventure of camping. Glamping can add value to your business, provide an additional income stream, and contribute to the local economy.
Read more>>
Social Media To Increase Business
The use of social media is not just for personal use, it also makes for a great business tool. It can increase the profile of your business, allow for cost effective marketing, increase your customer base and connect with customers to name a few. This can all be achieved for free.
Read more>>
Writing A Marketing Plan
A marketing plan is an operational document that outlines the marketing activity that a business plans to implement to generate leads and reach its target market. A marketing plan details the outreach, both traditional and digital, and PR campaigns to be undertaken over a period, including how the company will measure the effect of these planned activities. Read more>>
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