Expanding dairy farmers hope to be ‘cream of the crop’

Oct 22 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A DAIRY farm is hoping to become the cream of the crop with its latest venture.

Wheelbirks Farm in Stocksfield is expanding its successful Jersey ice cream business into one of the region’s first farm-based parlours.

The parlour will be part of a larger café serving snacks and light meals and will also incorporate a shop to sell other farm products and locally sourced food and drink.

A children’s play area will also be created to build on the educational offer that the farm already makes to schools, youth groups and universities learning about local agriculture and where their food comes from. The scheme has come about with the help of a grant from the Rural Development Programme for England.

Farmers Hugh and Tom Richardson said: “Our herd is the last Jersey herd in Northumberland so this is also about preserving knowledge. It’s really important that people can explore Jersey products and see these fabulous cattle, up close, for themselves.

“We’re thrilled that RDPE has enabled us to take this project forward on the scale we want to – creating more jobs and expanding our market and infrastructure, along with developing a really high quality resource to help young people get back in touch with where their food comes from.”