United Kingdom-The life of a Devonshire Farmer.
Country Comment: David Disney, Sampford Peverell farmer
I WILL be well into lambing my 200 ewes by the time this is printed. To bed at 11pm, if all is well, and up at 4am — why do we do it? Because we’re farmers, I suppose. We care for our animals, we hate losses and of course we look to maximise our output.
How I look forward to the time when the designs of SIG (Sheep Improved Genetics Ltd) are delivered: sheep that lamb themselves, are resilient to common diseases and provide quality lambs — sheep that are closer to nature, in fact, but far more economical to manage than those we currently farm.
Pie in the sky? No, a focused ambition of a group of committed sheep farmers, but I’ll come back to this story another day. A couple of weeks ago, Janet and I travelled up to Cumbria to study a ’Local Food Hub’ just seven miles off the M6 towards Carlisle, near Kendal — Plumgarth’s Farm Shop, (www.plumgarths.co.uk).
It’s just an ordinary local farm shop but what’s different is the behind-the-scenes structure. Plumgarth is the brainchild of farm owner John Geldard, winner of Farmer’s Weekly/NFU Farmer of the Year 2007.
In 2001, foot and mouth year, his farm business was in chaos, facing financial meltdown, and he was desperate to find a secure income. Knowing a growing proportion of the public was seeking local, quality farm-sourced products, he set about establishing a farm shop.
His local planning authority thought his plans were too large, but permission for the conversion of farm sheds to a farm shop, and some processing facilities, was granted on appeal. Once over this hurdle, his concept has mushroomed. ASDA were looking to source locally and John worked closely in developing a project with them called, ’Produced in Cumbria. The very best of Cumbria is in store now’. Two butchers then approached him for a site and John is now in partnership with them, supplying Plumgarth meat to local ASDA stores. And there’s a baker and drink producer on the Plumgarth site. The Produced in Cumbria gondola (the end of aisle unit) in the Kendal store has the highest turnover in any ASDA store.
The Regional Development Agency gave considerable financial support, but Plumgarth’s had to achieve a turnover of £850,000 and create 24 jobs within three years. They actually achieved £3 million and 50 jobs, working with 30 local producers, with 250 products in ASDA stores throughout the northwest. Plumgarth is now supplying restaurants and pubs and looking at a £5m turnover this year.
John Geldard has been recognised as an example of what dedicated enthusiasm can achieve. It’s just a shame so many people try to stifle change.
