Future Farms 2010 Programme
Sat. 6th Feb 2010
‘The best way to predict the future is to invent it…..’
A day to reflect on your business or business idea, create a business vision and plan how you will get there. A business plan on one side of A4 paper! This is for new or existing businesses- or for those with just a seed of an idea. Elspeth Walker from Dove Valley Centre will share her business story and vision which includes working in partnership with other businesses, using renewable energy, and bringing people on to the farm for holidays and courses. Elspeth has converted farm buildings to holiday accommodation and an art studio, linking in to local projects, grants and funding.
Tues.16th March 2010 Monyash House Farm, Monyash DE451JP
‘Successful off farm contracting- 101 ideas’
Visit to recently converted learning centre on a 300 acre organic dairy farm and hear from 3 speakers who all run successful off farm contracting businesses. We will discuss successful contracting and tackle thorny issues that can be barriers to success such as getting the money in and getting enough work at a good rate of pay. We will share ideas on ways to earn money ‘off farm’ using many different skills such as catering, fencing, mowing, walling, administration etc.
Tue 13th April 2010 Bluebell Dairy, Brunswood Farm,
‘Farming people and food tourism’
Bluebell Dairy were finalists in The NFU Food and Farming Awards 2009 - making award winning ice cream and welcoming visitors onto the farm. They sell fresh vegetables, meat, eggs, cheeses, milk, cream and fresh bread all sourced from within 30 miles wherever possible and have a tea room and play barn. A coach will leave the Farming Life Centre at 9.30am. An afternoon seminar will explore educational access and how you can be paid to host school and community visits and give information on CEVAS accreditation.
Monday 7th June - Community Supported Agrculture
Community Supported Agriculture has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. A farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. This can be a box of vegetables, half a lamb, logs, a chicken, eggs etc. Interested consumers purchase a ‘share’- paying a monthly amount. The farmer has a guaranteed income and market for his/her produce. We will hear from a success CSA and look at business planning and marketing for CSA schemes.
Tuesday 27th July - Care Farms in Staffordshire
A mini tour of 3 different Care Farms in the Stafford/Lichfield areas
We will leave the farming Life centre at 9am and travel to Hilderstone to see Oak Tree Farm Rural Project. This is a well established, well supported project for adults with learning disabilities. From there we will visit Upper Moreton Farm at Wolseley Bridge, which is a new care farm running an ESF confidence building project for people with mental health issues. It also has fishing pools and offers coaching for young people from areas of social deprivation. We will then go to Beaudesert Park Farm for a late lunch and to see their new build wooden classroom with composting toilets and discuss their educational access project. We will return to the Farming Life Centre at 5pm.
Wednesday 4th August - Making the most of Farm Toursim
Wheeldon Trees Farm, Earl Sterndale, Buxton SK17 0AAStudy visit to Wheeldon Trees Award winning cottages in the Peak District. A talk and tour followed by a seminar on making the most of farm tourism. What works well and how can farm tourism businesses in the area market and promote themselves without spending a fortune. Low cost, high impact ideas for marketing and promotion. Bring along your own marketing materials for a friendly critique!
Saturday 11th September 10am - 3pm- Making the Most of Meat
The Nightgale Centre, Great Hucklow, SK17 8RH
A demonstration and talk by Staffordshire farmer Gareth Coles on adding value to meat. Sausagemaking, bacon curing, pastrami and hams. Some case studies of successful farm meat enterprises and lots of tastings!
Tuesday 28th September 10am - 3pm 2010
Stoop Farm, Hollinsclough, Near Buxton
Stoop Farm is run by Karen and Bez Beresford and combines farming activity with a recently opened Bed and Breakfast business. They also supply peak choice with meat and work with a group of farmers to market and promote the Peak Choice brand. Rob Garret from Peak Choc will join us to discuss the successes and challenges of working as a farmer group
