| Trevorva - ARC Addington |
| Problem |
Cornwall County Council and the ARC Addington Fund, a national charity set up during the foot and mouth crisis in 2001, applied to the local district council to convert three of the barns into rented homes for local people and the proposal was accepted. Due to a boom in property prices, many tenant farmers cannot afford to buy or rent on the open market so once these barns are finished these barns will be ideal for moving semi-retired/ retired farmers from farms where they have had to stay on as they don't have anywhere else where they can retire to. |
| Lessons Learnt |
Cornwall County Council and the ARC Addington Fund, a national charity set up during the foot and mou |
|
| Barwick Farm, Tregony – Mr R N Michell |
| Problem |
Diversification seems to be the word at the moment and Mr Michell has taken this and used it to create his own milk, butter and cream business at Barwick Farm, Tregony. They moved into Barwick in 1999 when milk prices had fallen sharply and they gave themselves just five months to return to profit or give up the farm. They decided that as they were unable to do bed and breakfast or convert barns, they would process the milk from their 40 jerseys on their 17 ha (42 acres) and sell it at local farmers markets along with butter, cakes and biscuits. They went to Truro Farmers Market and sold out within 2 hours. They started processing their product in their dairy and in their kitchen using traditional recipes but then decided to take the plunge. Mrs Michell gave up her work at the local school as a cook and concentrated on their business. To supply retail outlets they had to have Environmental Health approval, which took 12 months to achieve. In 2002 the Michell's invested £50,000 in extending the dairy, attracting £5,000-£8,000 of EU development funding. They installed a new pasteuriser, separator, bulk tanks, bottling machine, walk in chiller cabinet and tables. They took on another 23ha (58 acres) and increased their herd size to 60 cows calving all year round.
In 2003 the farm became organic and the couple attracted many potential outlets to boost their business. "We are on target for a £100,000 turnover this year" say Mr Michell. The business is going from strength to strength, employing a relief milker and two part-timers in the diary. It has all been self-taught. We have learned an awful lot from out mistakes. |
| Lessons Learnt |
Diversification seems to be the word at the moment and Mr Michell has taken this and used it to creat |
|
| Laity Farm, Redruth - Mr R Drew |
| Problem |
Roger & Lynne Drew converted from dairy to organic beef and tourism at Higher Laity, Redruth together with the establishment of 4x4 course tuition, scheme unique to Cornwall. Mr & Mrs Drew have been tenants of Cornwall County Council for 14 years; they started farming on a 15 acres beef farm and then started moving up the farming ladder. The Drew's now have South Devon cattle on their organic holding.
When they transferred to beef this opened up the opportunity for entering into the holiday market. They are in the ideal location as they are only two miles from the coast and in a picturesque rolling landscape. The redundant milk parlour has been turned into three holiday cottages. Whilst they were trying to gain Objective One funding they had to identify a niche market and this evolved by chance conservation. They were talking about the status symbol ownership of 4x4 vehicles by people who never experience off-road driving so they thought that they could offer them a holiday with the chance of doing some off-road driving. Mr & Mrs Drew were awarded a maximum £55,000 Objective One funding, or 45 percent of the total costs of converting the parlour to holiday cottages and establishing the 4x4 course. Mrs Drew summed up their business plan: "We want it to pay for itself in 15 years and the last 10 years will give us some profit." |
| Lessons Learnt |
Roger & Lynne Drew converted from dairy to organic beef and tourism at Higher Laity, Redruth toge |
|
| Freshstart |
| Problem |
Fresh Start is Assisting Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's farmers and land based businesses to rationalise, restructure and improve efficiencies, enabling them to be in a stronger position to face the challenges of the future. The aims of the initiatives are to:
Encourage and help newcomers to the industry to ensure its long term health and vitality.
Encourage those within the industry to plan ahead and explore new opportunities and options.
Assist those wishing to leave the industry to plan for their departure carefully. |
| Lessons Learnt |
Fresh Start is Assisting Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly's farmers and land based businesses to rati |
|
|
