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EDITOR ’ S INTRO
Happy New Year one and all and let us hope 2021 will see us all get back to normality by summertime . I think we would all welcome the chance to visit shows , open events and attend seminars in person once again . The Farmers Mart will endeavor to keep you informed via the magazine and social media . 2020 has been a good year for more businesses and farms than it has not . The world needs to eat , and animals know nothing of COVID . Let ’ s hope this can be a prosperous year all round .
THE THIRD
DEC / JAN 2021 • farmers-mart . co . uk
GENERATION
Women in Agriculture
Celebrating Ella Kelly ’ s new role and her vision for Kelly Turkeys .
DON ’ T forget to get involved with The Farmstar Group ’ s open week 18th to 22nd of January . There will be all sorts of special offers alongside online timed demonstrations . Check out their website for full details . www . farmstar . co . uk
I spent an enjoyable day at the Lloyd head office in Carlisle when they handed over a brand new , fully liveried forage harvester to directors Neil Watkins and Jason Schofield of the Energy Crops Consultancy Ltd . This company is really at the forefront of energy crop production in the UK . Read about them on page 38 and watch out for our March issue when we will be featuring one of their farms that is growing willow as an energy crop .
The Farmers Mart continues its focus and celebration of Women in Agriculture . Both Myself and Rachel Anderson met up with Helen and Judith Donald of Gibbs Neese Farm , Staindrop , Co Durham . Read about what this hard working and dedicated mother and daughter team have achieved on page 70 .
Don ’ t forget , we are still very interested to do features on women in farming , from new ventures to well
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established farms and businesses , so do contact us if you know one of the many women blazing the agricultural trail . I am also keen to focus on the many female graduates leaving college and starting farming . I know there are a lot of young female farmers achieving fantastic results at college and afterwards .
I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Rangeley family , James , Suzanne and son Jack , the current custodians of Meadow View Farm in Highburton , Huddersfield . They are yet another great example of farm diversification . They have just started their online and doorstep business Burton Beef supplying direct some of the finest Dexter beef for miles around .
The farm features in this issue celebrate a lot of success , look out for Chris Jeffery , or as an increasing number of you will know him as ‘ Farmer Chris ’ from the hit reality show Celebs on the Farm .
All the best and here ’ s to a good start to 2021 .
Owner and Managing Editor Ian Wilkinson
WITH a successful year celebrating women in agriculture , Vencomatic UK are finishing 2020 by brightening this festive season with Ella Kelly ’ s story and sharing her new role as the third generation of Kelly Turkeys .
Founded in 1971 by her grandparents , Mollie ad Derek Kelly , Kelly Turkeys began when the demand for the white feathered turkey drove the consumer market . With the bronze turkey considered ‘ unsightly ’ due to the black feather stubs , the decade of the 70 ’ s favoured the white turkey breed . However , Mollie ’ s preference for the rare breed flavour directed their decision to become a niche producer and therefore , Derek bought the last of the Bronze breeding stock with the aim to bring back the Bronze .
Ella Kelly reflects on the beginning of her grandparents ’ business , “ A lot of people in the industry thought they were mad , and it wasn ’ t until Delia Smith wrote about the KellyBronze in her cookbook that people started to take us seriously . The business grew from there ”.
Now , three generations later , Ella is keen to be a part of the future of the company . Born into the industry , with her father currently managing Kelly Turkey ’ s , she has successfully started her role as Marketing Manager , overseeing the website , social media channels , brand partnerships and events . Alongside her commercial contribution to the company , she also owns her own flock of turkeys ,
She enthuses , “ I check on [ them ] every day before my day starts in the office ”.
Furthermore , to aid her new role , Ella has also had the incredible opportunity to work with Jamie Oliver ’ s marketing team . She states , “ My experience at Jamie Oliver was brilliant , it allowed me to see and learn a lot about marketing in general from a company that is extremely progressive and creative within the food industry ”.
With her strong experience behind her and passion to see the success of the company , Ella reflects on the business turning 50 years old and the direction she would like to see it take in the future , “ I would like to see the company remain a small niche producer and still focus on quality . We are currently looking at our sustainability and I would hope that we can take big strides to becoming more sustainable as a company but also as an industry ”.
In addition , Ella Kelly further considers the importance of celebrating Women in Agriculture , with Vencomatic UK highlighting the diverse role of females across the industry .
She states , “ I think it is very important [ to highlight women in agriculture as ] the Agricultural industry is very male dominated , and women need to be celebrated and encouraged to consider it as a career ”.
Finally , she offers a piece of advice for women both in and out of the industry to inspire them to achieve their goals , “ I would probably say find what you love and are passionate about and go for it ”.