Farmers Forum focus on food

How to add value to your farm produce is the topic for discussion at the next meeting of the Cairngorms Farmers Forum, which takes place next Wednesday (30 June) at The Lecht. And because the topic is food, there will be a barbeque of Cairngorms produce to enjoy for those who are able to attend!

Ruathy Donald, Economic Development Officer at the CNPA said: “Adding value to your produce by selling it directly either from home, via the internet, at a farmers market, or working as part of a cooperative group are all ways that can help increase the farm’s income.

“Consumers are looking for local food that is a little bit special in some way, whether it’s lamb reared in a particular way in a National Park, or local eggs or honey bought at the end of the farm track. We will be discussing the variety of ways that farmers can add value to the food they produce and hearing from others experiences.”

Among the speakers will be Fergus Younger who will be sharing the knowledge and experiences of the Argyll Hill Lamb Producers Group, Bob Yuill from the SAOS who will be discussing co-operatives and a North East farmer, Charlie Bruce from Banff, on his experiences of selling from home, at farmers markets and online.

Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) board member and Glenlivet farmer, Eleanor Mackintosh said: “Food produced or reared in the Cairngorms National Park can in essence already claim to have added value as the National Park is very much seen as a place which produces excellent quality food.

“However, what we need to do in the industry is ensure that we add value in the right way and effectively so if this means doing something differently then we need to look at how.”

If you are interested in joining the Farmers Forum and attending the meeting, for catering purposes please confirm your attendance by 24 June to Catriona Campbell on tel: 01479 873535.