Lynn Cassell and Sandra Baer of Lynbreck Croft, Grantown on Spey, received a Dean Organic Fund loan for the establishment of meat processing facilities.
They have made a video of their year which shows how they have made use of the loan.
They said in 2018:“We applied for the Dean Organic Fund as we saw it as an opportunity to grow our new croft business. We are a high agroecological performing croft with a vision to farm with nature using our animals as ‘land managers’ todeliver maximum benefits for wildlife and people. We are only a small set-up with very little funding other than that we can get through grants or through our part time jobs. The Dean Organic Fund gave us a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure investment to grow our business in a way that promotes the values our croft is based on – healthy soils = healthy land = healthy animals = healthy food = healthy people.
“We are using the money to install a food processing facility and purchase the kit we need to store and butcher our own meat. We are investing in a fully kitted out sterile room in our recently renovated byre where we will be able to process raw meat and make artisan produce including high quality sausages and burgers. We are purchasing a food smoker and equipment needed to slice and vacuum package
produce, including charcuterie we will be making. Our loan has also covered the cost of a walk in chill and two freezer units where we can store meat safely.
“In an industry where ‘added value’ is the latest buzz phrase, we plan to increase the financial value of our produce. For us as a small producer, this investment will enable us to generate enough income to reduce our part time working, allowing us to put more time into growing our business. We are so passionate about the way that we farm and the food that we produce and this investment
has meant we can make our produce ‘go further’ allowing us to reach a wider market. It has also opened
up the opportunity to buy in carcasses from other high agroecological/organic farming units where we can add value through processing and still provide the consumer with full product traceability.”
Read more about recipients of the Dean Organic Fund and how it has helped them here
If you are interested in further information on the Dean Organic Fund please contact Gillian Woodward
