• FEB / MAR 2021
WILLOW GROVE FARM 21
|
Abattoir & Meat Wholesalers
We supply high quality beef , pork and lamb through an efficient distribution service where standards are second to none .
|
|
|
|
|
Selling a range of fresh meats prepared in modern hygienic premises to customer requirements . |
|
|
|
|
|
Best Wishes to Josh Wright and all at Willow Grove Farm .
Call us on 01904 728 246 www . atravesandson . co . uk
Abattoir & Meat Wholesalers , 95 Main Street , Escrick , York , YO19 6TP
|
|
|
|
|
‘ We are looking to increase the herd as the farm shop business continues to grow . In years gone by granddad ’ s pigs were sold at Selby Mart and to a butcher in Morley , but since November last year we have been selling 4 per week from our new farm shop , with our butcher still taking his same number , plus the remainder going to Selby . Our aim is to sell even more through the farm shop .’
Josh ’ s grandparents had always sold free range eggs from their hens and free range eggs from Stephenson ’ s in Pudsey direct from the farm using an honesty box – something Josh and Luke continue to do during weekdays , but weekends are now all about the farm shop .
‘ It started in November last year when Luke said he was going to make some scones ,’ said Josh . ‘ We started selling them out at the front by the road and soon had to get a bigger stall . Luke then added brownies , more people kept coming and the oven was never off . We now use a marquee and the next stage is to convert a 20ft steel container . We ’ ve just moved it all in to our barn so that customers can come inside where it is warmer and we ’ re also now selling Recent Beans coffee , plus flowers and plants .’
‘ We ’ re now selling pork , sausages , pork pies , sausage rolls , brownies , scones and eggs every weekend – and our footfall keeps increasing . I handle the butchering , but otherwise it ’ s all down to Luke .’
‘ We recently started our ‘ Willow Basket ’ idea , which essentially means that customers can pre-order what they want and come and collect what is essentially a fruit crate with everything they need from pork joint to pork pies and also vegetables from other local farms .’
Creating the right amount of income for themselves is one form of sustainability , but the other side of looking after the land , propagating wildlife and being a part of the bigger picture in sustainability of the environment has always been very much in Josh ’ s mindset .
‘ We are in the higher level stewardship scheme and I believe that farming has to change , which is why rather
than only putting wild bird mix in generally less productive fields we are using six-metre strips in every field to break up monoculture and improve all insect and wildlife .’
‘ We are only just getting started , but we already have a really good mix of wild birds from barn owls to lapwings , buzzards , goldfinches and bullfinches . We have skylarks in their hundreds as we are giving them the opportunity to breed as we have a lot of land that we don ’ t run on . We are also doing well with little egrets , they ’ re like white heron , on the wetland near the River Calder .’
Josh and Luke don ’ t make a big thing about their relationship but are quite happy to talk about it if people want to .
‘ Farming is very traditional and it ’ s sometimes hard for people in it when I say Luke is my other half . It ’ s not difficult for us . When we ’ re at Selby Mart there ’ s no animosity , we ’ re just Josh and Luke and we work hard together on the farm sharing responsibilities – although he ’ s definitely the baker !’
Another of Josh ’ s strings to his bow is writing . He writes regularly for Farmers Weekly and is a blogger who is never short of giving his opinions on farming . ‘ I loved working at the mill , it was interesting work making feed , but this really is something else right now and Luke and I are loving it .’
www . willowgrovefarmshop . co . uk
Advancing the Business of Agriculture for the Next Generation .
Maximising profitability through improved genetics and management advances
Rattlerow is a technology-driven genetic development company at the leading edge of UK pig production . But we ’ re so much more than that .
From scientific advances , R & D and management expertise to specialised AI training , cashflow planning and data recording , we go further , offering a unique range of services to support you and your business .
Rattlerow . Let us be the difference .
01379 384304 www . rattlerow . co . uk • www . ra-se . com
‘ Wishing Josh continued success ’
Providing Trusted & Knowledgeable Professional Advice Throughout Yorkshire
Chartered Surveyors Auctioneers & Valuers
The Exchange , Exchange Street , Driffield , East Yorkshire YO25 6LD Email exchange @ dee-atkinson-harrison . co . uk or Telephone 01377 253151