AN inspiring collaboration spanning field to fork, between farmers, chefs, butchers and industry organisations was held recently in the Yorkshire Dales.

Held at Town End Farm Shop in Airton, the event was developed in direct response to a desire by farmers who are part of Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes, a project delivered by Pasture for Life and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) through its Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, to be better equipped with information, to enable them to successfully direct market their beef to consumers.

Ultimately this will enable them to build long term resilience into their farm businesses by adding value for their animals while at the same time supporting the nature friendly farming practices that Farming in Protected Landscapes funding aims to support.

Throughout the afternoon a group of chefs from renowned restaurants in the North, as well as representatives from businesses; Lake District Farmers and Swaledale Butchers, joined the farmers to learn more about the whole process and build relationships that could subsequently be mutually beneficial for all.

Beginning in October, a large group of farmers visited Megs Farm, Long Preston where owners, James and Amy Newhouse showed them three of their Pasture for Life certified belted galloway cattle of different ages, shortly before processing. After a month of maturation, the farmers, now joined by the chefs, reconvened earlier this month to furnish themselves with key information about the next stages and discuss how future partnerships would be valuable for everyone.

Kicking off the afternoon session, recognising that utilising the whole carcase is critically important, butchery consultant Rich Summers led an engaging live butchery demonstration in the butchery with the carcases. Focussing specifically on demystifying the terminology used for all the different cuts, Rich then demonstrated how less known and underutilised parts of the carcase can make cost effective, delicious and nutritious meals whilst contributing significantly towards helping utilise the whole carcase.

After the butchery session, the chefs and industry partners, went on to Neil Heseltine and Leigh Weston's Hill Top Farm, Malham to see first hand the benefits that their herd of Pasture for Life Certified Belted Galloway Cattle bring to the farm, enhancing biodiversity and the landscape, whilst being profitable and enabling the couple to have the work / life balance they value for their family.

For the farmers, the afternoon continued with two further sessions, one led by Paul Bache from food industry training experts Verner Wheelock , based in Skipton, focussed on appropriate legislation. The second of which featured Dr Gillian Butler from Newcastle University highlighting the nutritional and health benefits of meat produced in pasture based systems.

Hosted by the team at Town End Farm Shop, headed up by Chris Wildman, in their atmospheric cafe, everyone sat down together to celebrate and enjoy a delicious meal, showcasing lots of different cuts and menu ideas, all cooked by industry renowned chef Steph Moon, incorporating meat from the three belted galloway cattle, seen back in October.

With not a hungry person left in the room, the evening concluded with Chris and Rich, leading an engaging charcuterie session, an additional way of adding value to carcases and utilising joints like topside and silverside, which can often be overlooked.

Rob Bunn, project manager for Pasture for Life, said: “The number of people attending this event demonstrates the desire for farmers to explore ways of maximising the value of their animals. Pulling together this event has been a real team effort and I’m delighted we’ve been able to respond to farmers requests, by putting it on”.

A spokesperson for Swaledale Butchers said: "Great event up at Malham. Conservationists, chefs, butchers, farmers all talking about the best way to get sustainable, nature friendly farming produce to the public."

The event was funded by Farming in Protected Landscapes Funding from five Protected Landscapes in the North of England; Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks and Nidderdale, North Pennines and Forest of Bowland National Landscapes, as part of the Pasture for Life Programme ‘Pasture & Profit in Protected Landscapes’.

Farmers in the five protected landscapes are invited to continue to sign up to the free programme by contacting Rob on email; rob@pastureforlife.org

Farming In Protected Landscapes Programme is a part of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan offering funding to farmers and land managers in National Landscapes (previously known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)), National Parks and the Broads.

Neil Heseltine of Hill Top Farm, Malham and James Newhouse of Megs Farm, Long Preston are Pasture for Life Certified Farms, and both keep Belted Galloway Cattle that are suited to the upland, pasture based farming systems and are crucial in enhancing the biodiversity and maintaining the natural landscape of these farms

Award winning Town End Farm Shop & Cafe  is located in Airton near Malham, Skipton and as well as offering a wide range of local and seasonal produce also offers butchery and charcuterie courses. Find out more at: https://townendfarmshop.co.uk