Why sell direct? How can it work? Is it worth it?

Pasture for Life

A workshop centred around adding value and strategies for making direct sales stack up with honest discussion on the current challenges.

Saddlescombe Road

SDNP Pasture & Profit Programme

This collection of events is part of the FiPL funded  Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes programme for farmers in the South Downs National Park.

Join us for a workshop with Butcher, Curer and educator Rich Summers to discuss different direct sale scenarios for beef operations in today's climate. This is a practical and financially focused workshop, breaking down costs to identify marginal gains and considering seasonality. As well as looking at some of the broader incentives and problem solving common challenges. With a focus on efficiency and maximising potential value through the whole process.Starting late morning, Rich will provide a presentation followed by time for questions. After lunch we will hear from farmers who are currently doing direct sales in the South Downs and can share their experiences to give a regional perspective. Inluding <a href="https://bwcarrfarms.com/" title="https://bwcarrfarms.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">BW Carr Farms</a>. There is room for open conversation, giving you a chance to voice your experiences and questions too. The workshop will be held at the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Food+Partnership+Clubhouse/@50.8654616,-0.1789372,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x48758f2e97b42551:0x4270cca8b5974d0c!8m2!3d50.8654616!4d-0.1789372!16s%2Fg%2F11s2ymynhm?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" title="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Food+Partnership+Clubhouse/@50.8654616,-0.1789372,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x48758f2e97b42551:0x4270cca8b5974d0c!8m2!3d50.8654616!4d-0.1789372!16s%2Fg%2F11s2ymynhm?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDEyMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Food Partnership Clubhouse</a> at Waterhall.Lunch catered by <a href="https://www.sussexsurplus.org/" title="https://www.sussexsurplus.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sussex Surplus</a> with meat supplied through <a href="https://www.cpresussex.org.uk/news/sussex-grazed/" title="https://www.cpresussex.org.uk/news/sussex-grazed/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sussex Grazed</a>.The beef on the menu is Sussex Red Heifer from Sussex Wildlife Trust, reared by grazing manager Tom Parry and his team based on the Wiston Estate in Findon, West Sussex. They use their animals to graze nature reserves across both East and West Sussex, managing a variety of habitats including wet grassland, heathland and chalk grassland. Event schedule:11am Arrival, tea and coffee.11.30am Presentation from Rich Summers with time for questions1pm Lunch1.30pm South Downs farmers selling direct present their experiences with open discussion3pm finish About Rich SummersRich has worked in the British meat industry for over 30 years and gained an appreciation of the finest quality British livestock and game along with an admiration for those who dedicate their time to producing it.Drawing upon his experience as a butcher, charcutier, slaughterman and occasional stockman he has developed a forensic knowledge of ethically farmed and humanely slaughtered livestock and the importance of how these factors influence meat quality and in turn, a healthy and balanced human diet.Rich has now become a well respected industry figure by using his vast knowledge of whole carcass butchery which has allowed him help producers develop a range of innovative, value added products ranging from cured and cooked meats, pies and ready meals, smoked meat products along with salamis and whole muscle air dried meats. He specialises in taking a complex academic and scientific process and sophisticated practical skills and imparting them to his clients guaranteeing the very best eating quality and food safety standards. He consults, teaches and judges on a wide range of subjects. About BW Carr FarmsBen and Abbie Carr run a mixed farm in Ovingdean, East Sussex. They rear the distinctive Belted Galloway cattle for local meat boxes. These animals are fed on grass and forage produced on the farm and are free from antibiotics. They also have a small flock of Jacob sheep and the occasional pig or two. Their grazing livestock play a vital role in promoting biodiversity on the farm and restoring precious chalk grassland. The welfare of the animals on the farm is of the utmost importance to the family and their local village community.

Please note that because this event is part of the <a href="http://southdownsfarming.com/networks/pasture-and-profit-in-the-south-downs/" title="https://https:/http://southdownsfarming.com/networks/pasture-and-profit-in-the-south-downs/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Pasture and Profit in Protected Landscapes Programme in the South Downs National Park</a>. The event is free for programme participants. To attend, please <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJDaR3mhY5NGvanDD6acFZjJ3v-HUXhD2tQzHTKVQNnYkuHA/viewform?usp=sf_link" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJDaR3mhY5NGvanDD6acFZjJ3v-HUXhD2tQzHTKVQNnYkuHA/viewform?usp=sf_link" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">sign up here</a> or we can provide you with a form on that day.Email isabella@pastreforlife.org with any queries.