It has been a remarkable journey for farmer Cheryl Reeves in the six years since she utilised Farming Connect’s Agrisgôp programme to first explore the seed of her farm business diversification idea.
“We visited other businesses and it gave me a really good insight into what I needed to consider, from the health and safety policies you need when open your farm to the public to company directorship, and everything in between,’’ she recalls. “I think it also helps that I am a woman in farming, they perhaps want to give that little bit extra because of that.’’
“I was delighted to be on the shortlist of five and just couldn’t believe it when the winner’s name was announced and it was us, you never expect your name to be called out,’’ says Cheryl.Looking forward, she plans to explore further growth by targeting the corporate sector; the farm’s location, just five miles from one of the UK’s biggest industrial parks, ideally places it for partnering with industry.