David Rose Helping Business Grow

I am the third generation of my family to farm at Screveton and took over the running of the family business in the early 1980s following a serious accident to my father. At that time the farm was 250 acres and over the next decade was increased to 650. Even so, by the mid 1990s I could see that, to create a sustainable business, the operation would need to expand. As I did not want to purchase more land I looked for other partners with whom to share machinery and labour.

Two other farmers joined the scheme and Farmeco UK Ltd was established. A fourth member joined the team in 2002 and now Farmeco farms 5,500 acres with one set of machinery and labour. This gives bargaining power for joint purchases, and shares information, problems and opportunities. Each unit can keep its individuality and the owner can diversify and gain outside income while remaining in mainstream agriculture.

In 1999 I also set up Farmshop.net which co-ordinates a wide range of regional produce sourced in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire from some 40 different producers. A range of fresh meat, vegetables, bakery, dairy and other produce is boxed up and delivered to customers’ homes. In the 18 months since it was established, “Farmshop Home Delivery” has accumulated nearly 1,200 home customers and delivered local produce to 58 schools in Nottinghamshire proving that there is a demand for such a service in the local area.

In 2001 I won a Nuffield Farming Scholarship and my report can be found by clicking here

In 2005 Farmshop.net was taken over by Farmfresh Meals Ltd, a meal solutions business producing convenient meal solutions made from healthy, farm fresh, responsibly produced food. Farmfresh Meals and Farmfresh Meats are sold and delivered to food service outlets and selected retail outlets, to Homes and schools in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire as well as being delivered nationally.

My workload is now split with 10% spent on my own farm and as a director of Farmeco, and the remainder spent helping start-up business and working with established regional food business such as Farmfresh Meals. I am not a professional consultant, just someone who is passionate about regional food and the benefits it can bring. I have 7 years experience of the right and wrong ways of marketing regional food and I am available to help other business learn from this experience. I also have contacts interested in helping fund good business propositions and can also advise on Farms and business wanting to work together .

I am currently working with a National Insurance company as well, liaising with Farmers, Farm shops and other food chain operations giving advice on cost effective insurance options - at Farmeco and Farmfresh meals our Insurance costs have reduced dramatically while maintaining a high level of cover.

If you would like any further details please email david.rose@farmshop.net