Over the Farm Gate

Hi my name is Dominic, my family and me run a wee farm called Sunnyside, in Sanquhar D&G. We specialise in producing unusual and rare breed meats. Scottish Rose veal, Dexter beef, Shetland lamb, Gloucester old spot pork.
My passion, a much over used word, is producing animals that are tasty and interesting to work with. Size is of no significance. We breed the smallest coos and oddest looking sheep, but they taste the best. My pigs have some black patches that come through onto the skin, but that doesn't effect the sublime taste. Thats whay alot of these breeds have almost died out, supermarkets dont want them, they arent all the same to fit their shelves.

My father and i work on the farm full time, with a little help from our friends we produce everything ourselves. We feed the animals twice a day, rain or shine (or snow!!), sometimes before the farmers markets even start we have done a days work. The finished stock are selected and taken by us to our local abattoir.
All our meat is properly hung, and we have a modern on farm butchery facility. I make the sausages, i personally come up with all the recipes. I pack and cut all the meat, i hand cure the bacon, make the pies. (we do have a cleaner though!)
We can tell you exactly whats in everything, because WE do it all. The food is not passed through a hundred hands and premises, just straight from me to you!

Its difficult to describe the life on a farm, especially ours, its not normal. We have tremendous highs, and terrible lows. Dealing in life and death on a daily basis can be horrible. But seeing the 1st breath of a lamb, seeing the enthusiastic licking of a new born calf from loving Dexter mum, makes for special moments that most people will never see. The world races by and most don't see the living world around them. I think as farmers we are privileged to see the countryside as we do. It all makes life worth living.
Speaking of making life worth living, we have a collection of characters on the farm that all make it that bit more special. The biggest being Bird. Bird is an Ayrshire bullock, he will be 3 this year. he is a permanent resident and can`t not make you smile. Always enthusiastic to see you and have a pat on the head. Trouble is he must weigh 700kg now, so when he comes over to see you hope he stops!!

We are a bit different in everything we do but go to your local farmers market and meet some other producers who all have their passions, and if you see me, say hello!

Dominic smith, www.sunnysidefarm.biz if you want to know more get in touch

Welcome to Jude's Jewels

Hi there,
My name is Judith Gray (Jude).

I started Jude's Jewels Handmade Designer Jewellery about 10 years ago. What started as a hobby when I was ill has developed into my full time job.
Rather than take part in craft fairs (which can be really stuffy and samey), I decided to take a new route to selling my jewellery through local farmers markets.
Although I had to prove that I could sell my handmade jewellery alongside the food producers and be accepted into the market community, I worked hard and now take part in up to 20 markets a month across Scotland, from Fencebay in the West to St Andrews in the East.
Jude's Jewels became a crafter member of SAFM last year, which meant a great deal to me.
I have been working hard to develop my website in recent month and post a regularly up-dated list of all the farmers markets I attend on the site. This link brings my customers to the markets in their area.
I have found that my customers like coming to the farmers markets and that my stall adds an extra dimension the the normal list of producers. Diversification is good for keeping farmers markets fresh and customers interested.
To give my regular customers a good choice I constantly strive to develop new lines and fun items. Many of my customers are younger members of the shopping community and it is great to see them at farmers markets.
On the Jude's Jewels stalls you will usually see me (Jude), my partner Nick and our daughter Jen, sometimes aided by niece Vicki and nephew James. We always try to remember customers faces and names, and to make them feel valued.

Farmers markets should be at the centre of the local community when it comes to shopping for fresh produce or locally made speciality items.
Please check out the website for all our details : http://www.judesjewels.co.uk/

SAFM bags for life

There are still SAFM hessian bags available at markets from participating members. They're tough and last for ages - and they're big - you can get 10 wine or juice bottles in one.

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Beautiful day but where were the regulars?

Sat 20th Feb. John and I both decided to turn out for Edinburgh much to customers and stall-holders amusement!! Gave us time to ponder a bit more on what is going on at Edinburgh.
Observations: at least half our customers were foreign students and tourists; car park, at which we looked all morning remained deserted. There were lots of people but precious few were actually buying anything. Maybe a burger or a coffee and a free sample but produce to take home, NO.
What is wrong? Well the produce is a delight. There could be more variety. There is a loss of the many interesting products - fish, drinks, bakers, condiments, cheese to name but a few.
WE ARE ATTRACTING MANY FEWER LOCAL BUYERS OF LOCAL FOOD THAN WE DID IN FORMER YEARS AND WE FEEL IT IS NOT JUST THE RECESSION BECAUSE OUR FORMER BUYERS IN GENERAL STILL HAVE THEIR JOBS AND THEIR BELIEFS IN SUPPORTING THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY FOR REASONS OF QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY. WAITROSE AND MARKS AND SPENCERS DO WELL.
3 SOLUTIONS: 1. THE MARKET IS 'TIRED' AND HARDLY FRONT OF MIND FOR MANY EDINBURGH RESIDENTS. 2. WE NEED FREE OR SUBSIDISED PARKING AND 3. WE NEED PROTECTION FROM THE WEATHER; TO MAKE THIS A 'MUST ATTEND' MARKET AGAIN.
Come on Edinburgh; you can do better than this.

Welcome

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Here you will hear from farmers, growers and producers. This will be the hub for stall holders, specific market towns and customers... basically all things FM! (That's Farmers' Market to you and me.)

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