Northumberland dairy farmers Michael and Angie Howie have diversification success licked with the help of Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES).
The couple, of Morwick Farm, near Warkworth, successfully launched their Morwick Dairy Ice Cream business in 2003 with the help of RES funding with the aim of producing top quality, traditional ice cream from milk produced by their award-winning dairy herd.
Their "Royal Double Ice Cream" - named after their dairy cow Morwick Sand Queen won the Royal Double of Supreme Dairy Champion at both the Royal Highland and Royal Show in 2002 - has proven such a hit the couple are now planning to expand with further assistance from RES, delivered by the Rural Development Service.
Mrs Howie explained:
"We're the third generation of farmers and our Howie family has farmed here at Morwick since 1945. Michael runs the farm in partnership with his dad David and younger brother Andrew and Michael and I run Morwick Dairy Ice Cream as a separate business.
"The farm's herd of pedigree Ayshires and Holsteins has gained numerous awards over the years and diversification into direct manufacture of top quality farmhouse ice cream seemed an ideal step.
"From the very start our aim was to create the finest ice cream - we really felt we owed it to the herd and winning the Royal Double in 2002 gave us the inspiration for the ice cream's name.
"We launched the business in 2003, including an ice cream parlour in what was once an old farm shed, where visitors can enjoy the many and varied flavours and see it produced through a viewing window.
"Our commitment to quality has really paid off - business is going really well. Last year we sold around 15,000 litres of ice cream, an increase of 30 per cent on the previous year. I now work full time in the business and we have a permanent part-time member of staff who I feel will become full time this year, and we also employ six part-time seasonal members of staff.
"The new RES funding, awarded through fast track processes, will allow us to upgrade our production machinery and make some small alterations to our ice cream laboratory, to increase capacity so we can cater for the growing demand for our ice cream.
"As well as selling ice cream from our own parlour, it was also on sale via a trailer at Alnwick Castle last year. This year we've been asked to supply it wholesale to the castle as part of the new visitor development programme and we're hoping to supply selected farm shops. The trailer will now be used to sell at other events and farmers markets.
"We've also introduced a new range of ice cream cake products, with cakes made and decorated to a customers' specifications, and offer a range of seasonal specials for Easter and Christmas."
Martin Price, an adviser at the Rural Development Service in the North East, said:
"The Howies have already proved that diversification can lead to a successful and sustainable future for their business and we're delighted to be able to support them once again as they expand and grow.
"Developing and processing new products that can be sold direct to consumers is an ideal way for farmers to maximise the income that can be gained from their farm produce and the ice cream parlour is now also a popular attraction for visitors to the area, who can also see how a working farm operates and learn more about the efforts of farmers working in our countryside."
Susie Craddock, Sustainable Farming and Food Coordinator for the North East, added:
"This is a great example of the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy
(SFFS) in action, it clearly demonstrates a regional rural business looking closely at how they interface with their supply chain.
"The Howies have changed their core business well and are connecting better to their market, seeking new opportunities that have resulted in a sustainable and profitable rural business in a climate of significant change. And we're keen to help other farmers achieve similar success through SFFS initiatives in the region."
