As we enter a difficult economic period, the innovative East Yorkshire cooperative, EggSell is helping more farmers to diversify and make the most of what is available to them.
Organic farmer, Richard Hudson is the latest producer to branch out and join the EggSell project. He runs Green Farm at Barton-Le-Willows, a few miles outside York and has just invested in a shed to house 4,000 free range hens.
Until recently, he spent most of his time running Paradise Farm, an organic farm at nearby Howsham but he realised that free range egg production was too good an opportunity to miss.
Mr Husdon said: "It was a no-brainer really. Eggsell made it so easy to move into hen farming, the risk to Green Farm was virtually non-existent and I could only see the move being beneficial to us. I had lots of personal contact with them and they were there whenever I needed them, they really helped things along. "
It's only been a month since Green Farm began its free range set-up but after a few teething problems early on, it's now beginning to pick up.
"I ran into a few difficulties at the beginning, the hens were laying far too many floor eggs but with the help and advice that EggSell gave, it meant that I was able to overcome the early challenges. They provided a real safety net"
Mr Hudson is now intending to diversify even further. Green Farm has just received planning permission to build a café, a children's play area and a farm shop selling local produce from Paradise farm. It will be a welcome addition to Mr Hudson's portfolio and he is relishing the chance to make further links with the local community.
"I love farming and I want to be able to bring it to the local community. It should provide me with the opportunity to show people what farming is all about"
Richard Hudson is the third generation of his family on the 260-acre Green Farm. He returned from living overseas four years ago and has been active at the farm ever since.
Stewart Elliot from Eggsell said: "We are very to happy to be able to welcome Mr Hudson to EggSell. What this shows is that in a difficult and unsure time economically, farmers still have options open to them.
"Diversification is one way that farms can make the most of what is available to them. We are always looking for new members and can offer guidance and support to anyone who wants to get involved."
