A FARM-to-fork tour of two dale businesses has been organised to help farmers weather what is described as a “perfect storm” of soaring costs and the uncertainty of the Government’s post-Brexit support regime.
The Northern Real Farming Conference (NRFC), in partnership with Pasture for Life, an organisation which champions the virtues of grass-based farming and meat production, has arranged the visit to Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop, on the A66, and Trees House Farm, at Brignall.
The farm and farm shop have collaborated to develop a highly successful short supply chain, focussing on offering customers a wide range of high-quality meats including Pasture for Life certified beef. The visit, on Thursday, July 21, will include a look around the farm and visit and a tour of the shop with emphasis on the shop’s support for local producers.
NRFC officials say any farmers thinking about how to reduce overheads or sell direct should join the tour, and suggest that anyone attending brings someone with them who is interested but wouldn’t normally come to an event like this.
In addition to the farm and farm shop visits, the NRFC has produced videos produced by farmers for other farmers, offering tips on how to cut costs, increase profitability and future proof their businesses.
The NRFC videos bring presentations and discussions from the 2020 and 2021 conferences together into an easy-to-access resource.
Farmers talk about their own experiences and offer practical advice on the profit and pitfalls of changing their land management methods.
The videos have been prepared with support from WWF-UK’s Land, Food and Farming Fund.
Ellen Pearce, from NRFC, said: “We have developed an amazing archive of resources and online sessions with themes covering everything from dung beetles to soil health, nutrition to grains and urban farming to cow-with-calf dairying.
“We now have the capacity to share the best of our archives. We hope farmers will join our community, access the resources and knowledge and share their stories.”
Anyone interested in taking part in the farm and farm shop visits to Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop and Trees House Farm can book places online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cross-lanes-organic-farm-shop-and-trees-house-farm-tour-tickets-365930296367.
