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 CONTENTS
WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?
Organic farming systems work with the environment to maintain
healthy soils, plants, animals and people. No chemical fertilisers,
herbicides, pesticides or genetically modified organisms are
allowed. Instead the organic farmer ensures healthy soils,
crops and livestock through a combination of methods:
- rotating crops (to replenish nutrients)
- planting clover crops (to add nitrogen to the soil)
- adding nutrient-rich composts and manure to the soil
- keeping stocking densities low (to avoid overgrazing and
lessen the risk of disease)
- ensuring animal welfare needs are met
- providing suitable habitats for predators, such as ladybirds,
beetles and birds (to keep pest species under control)
ORGANIC FOODS
Organic principles can be applied to the production of meat
and dairy products as well as plants grown for consumption.
Organic fruit and vegetables are grown without the use of
artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides, relying instead
on the development of healthy fertile soils through composting
and manures, and by using natural biological methods to control
pests.
Organic meat (and products such as milk, cheese, yoghurts,
etc) comes from animals reared on land that has been organically
certified (i.e. there is no use of artificial fertilisers,
herbicides or pesticides). The animals have plenty of access
to fresh air and pasture and are fed healthy natural diets.
Any feed supplements must be derived from organically grown
feed crops. There is no routine use of drugs, antibiotics,
wormers, etc. but some conventional veterinary treatments
may be used where necessary.
CHALLENGES TO ORGANIC FARMING
Organic farming is not easy, particularly in the Fells and
Dales area, where the thin soils and the cool, wet climate
can be challenging to plant and animal growth. The shorter
growing season can limit the range of crops that can be grown,
particularly salad crops. However, at Howbarrow Organic Farm,
polytunnels are used to reduce wind and weather damage and
to extend the plant growing season by maintaining a warmer
environment.
All organic food crops have to be weeded by hand (or
by mechanical means) rather than sprayed with herbicides.
Pests are controlled through the use of natural predators
or by creating physical barriers to prevent crop damage. Suitable
habitats need to be created (or conserved) in order to ensure
that the beneficial predators (i.e. birds, beetles, solitary
wasps, hedgehogs, etc) are able to thrive. Plant diseases
can be minimised through careful plant management, i.e. avoiding
monocultures by using crop rotations, and selecting varieties
with natural disease resistance.
Organic meat is derived from animals reared on land
that has been organically certified. To balance their nutritional
needs, organic animal feed is often grown or bought in. This
costs considerably more than conventional feed as organic
food crops are grown in longer rotations than conventional
systems, resulting in a lower turnover of crop than for intensively
produced crops. Organic meat producers also place greater
emphasis on sustainability, i.e. using lower stocking densities
to avoid disease and overgrazing. This again makes the unit
cost of production higher.
In the 1990s organic milk production was encouraged
through economic incentives. But the expected price premium
for wholesale organic milk failed to materialise and many
farmers are left with the choice of either selling their organic
milk into the conventional milk market or going back to non-organic
production. Others, however, have decided to market their
own organic milk, such as at Swarthmoor Hall Farm, where all
the milk is sold under the label of South Lakes Organic Milk.
The price of organic food is often higher to the consumer
as it costs more to produce, but there are fewer environmental
costs to 'pay' for. However, savings can be made by buying
directly from the producer. Click here
for a list of producers in the Fells and Dales area who
have their own farm shops or who operate a mail order service
enabling consumers to purchase directly from the farm.
QUALITY STANDARDS
All organic food production and processing is governed by
a strict set of rules, assured by inspections and backed up
by an organic certification symbol. There are a number of
organic certifying bodies, all of whom are approved by DEFRA.
Every organic producer pays an annual fee to be registered
with one of the certification bodies and is required to keep
detailed records. Each certification body has its own symbol
and EU code number, which guarantee that the product has met
approved standards. By buying organic food, the consumer contributes
to the environmental benefits of organic farming and directly
benefits from knowing that the product is additive-free and
fully traceable from farm to plate.
 The
Soil Association is one of the main national organisations
that provide help and advice for organic producers and consumers.
They certify approximately 70% of organic food produced in
the UK and have strict standards for certification. Further
information can be found on their website at www.soilassociation.org.
Other organic certifying bodies relevant to this area
are:
 Organic
Farmers and Growers (OF&G)
(www.organicfarmers.uk.com)
 Organic
Food Federation (OFF)
(www.orgfoodfed.com)
 Scottish
Organic Growers (SOPA)
(www.sopa.org.uk)
 Bio-Dynamic
Agriculture Association (BDAA)
(www.biodynamic.org.uk)
ORGANIC PRODUCERS IN CUMBRIA
The number of organic producers in Cumbria has increased
dramatically in recent years, with over 70 now registered
as organic.
The first organic pioneers were the Village Bakery at Melmerby
and The Watermill at Little Salkeld. Since then, many farms
have converted to organic standards, many using government
grants given in recognition of the environmental benefits
of organic farming and with much of the impetus coming in
the wake of the foot and mouth crisis of 2001. There are organic
milk producers at Ulverston, Kendal, Beckermet, Egremont,
Milnthorpe and Sedbergh; organic egg producers at Cartmel
and Kendal; an organic trout farm on Esthwaite Water
near Hawkshead; and organic herb growers at Howbarrow
(near Cartmel) and Houlkler Hall (near Blawith). However,
organic meat production is the mainstay of organic
farming in Cumbria, with many farms producing organic beef
and lamb (and sometimes venison, pork and poultry).
Some farmers sell directly into the wholesale market, but
others are developing their own markets and selling directly
to customers through farm shops, farmers' markets, retailers
or by mail order. Others have opened up farm trails where
it is possible to see at first hand how organic food is produced
and the environmental benefits it brings.
Full details on how to purchase organic products direct from
the producers can be found overleaf. Also included are details
about where you can learn more about organic farming through
farm trails and organised visits.
BRIDGE END FARM/COUNTRY CUTS
Country Cuts at Bridge End Farm near Santon Bridge is run
by Martin and Elaine Phizacklea. The farm produces organic
sheep, beef cattle and pigs on 500 acres and sells the meat,
along with home-made sausages and home-cured 'Farmer' ham
and bacon, from a farm shop on site (open daily 10.00-5.00).
Organically-fed trout and free-range chickens and eggs can
also be purchased. A mail order service is available - see
the website for details. Bridge End Farm is certified by the
Organic Farmers and Growers Association (UK2).
Bridge End Farm is in an environmentally sensitive area and
supports a number of wildlife habitats including a Site of
Special Scientific Interest at Hallsenna Moor near Drigg.
A viewing hut/bird hide with disabled access and car parking
will shortly be developed here.
The farm is usually open for informal visits, but larger
groups would need to book tours in advance (with a small charge
payable). Please note that restrictions on access are applied
at certain times of year.
Country Cuts is signposted from the A595 and has ample car
parking adjacent to the shop.
Bridge End Farm
Santon Bridge
Holmrook
Cumbria
CA19 1UY
Contact: Martin or Elaine Phizacklea
Tel/Fax: 01946 726256
Email: enquiries@country-cuts.com
Website: www.country-cuts.com
DEER 'N' DEXTER
Red deer have been farmed at Stoddah Farm on the northern
edge of the Lake District since 1987. A recent addition is
a herd of Dexter cattle. The farm is currently in the process
of conversion to organic status.
A meat enterprise is being developed, with venison and beef
being sold through local retailers and farm shops. Boxes of
freezer-ready meat are available by mail order, or can be
delivered locally - including to holiday accommodation. See
the website for details.
Areas of land have been set aside as wildlife habitats. Two
ponds with associated wetland areas have been created, and
new woodland areas and hedges planted. A public bridleway
and footpath (with panoramic views) cross the land and form
part of a circular walking route.
Guided visits around the farm can be arranged for small groups
to learn more about organic farming systems, farming deer
and conservation work. However, these need to be booked in
advance, with a small charge applicable.
The farm is located just off the A66. Bus services (X50,
X4, X5) between Penrith and Keswick stop at the road end to
Penruddock, with a ½ mile walk to the farm.
 Old
Stoddah Farm
Penruddock
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0RY
Contact: Jane Emerson or Peter Stoeken
Tel: 01768 480069
Fax: 01768 483809
Email: jane@deer-n-dexter.co.uk
Website: www.deer-n-dexter.co.uk
GREYSTONE HOUSE FARM SHOP AND TEA ROOM
Greystone House Farm began conversion to organic production
of beef and lamb in 2001 after the foot and mouth crisis of
that year. Most of the farm is now fully organic with another
20 hectares in conversion. The farm shop stocks a wide range
of quality produce - fresh meat, butter, cheese, chutneys,
bread, cakes (much of it sourced locally) and their own home-grown
vegetables. There is wheelchair access and a disabled toilet.
Upstairs, the rustic tea room serves delicious home-cooked
meals from their own meat and vegetables (open 10.00 - 5.30
daily).
Outside, visitors can enjoy a self-guided trail around the
farm and see various conservation projects in development,
part-funded by the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Guided
tours for schools and other large parties are available by
prior arrangement. The farm also arranges special events,
such as lambing weekends, for which prior booking is essential.
Greystone House were the overall winners of the 2003 Countryside
Awards, organised by the Cumberland News.
The farm and shop are in the centre of the village with ample
parking to the rear of the farm. There are daily (Mon-Sat)
bus services from Penrith that stop outside the farm gate
in Stainton village (services X50 and 105).
Greystone House Farm Shop and Tea Room
Stainton
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 0EF.
Contact: John or Marjorie Dawson
Tel: 01768 866952
Email: johndawson@supanet.com
HAWKSHEAD ORGANIC LAKE TROUT
Hawkshead Organic Trout farm was established on Esthwaite
Water in 1981 to supply nearby hotels and restaurants with
locally grown trout. In 1995 the farm became organic and now
produces lake trout to standards certified by the Soil Association.
The trout are reared in floating pens under low stocking densities,
fed an organic diet and harvested on a sustainable basis.
No artificial colourings are added to enhance the 'pinkiness'
of the flesh. Esthwaite Water is a wetland of international
importance, and the farm works closely with the Environment
Agency to closely monitor and improve the water quality of
the lake.
There is an on-site shop where you can purchase Hawkshead
organic lake trout and other local products. A mail order
service is available - see the website for details. If you
wish to catch your own lake trout, fishing boats and rods
can hired by the day.
Car parking nearby with picnic area. Two bus services - the
Cross Lake Shuttle and the Coniston Rambler (no. 505) - stop
at Near Sawrey, approximately 15 minutes walk away.
 Hawkshead
Trout Farm
Riding Wood
Hawkshead
Cumbria
LA22 0QF
Contact: Nigel Woodhouse
Tel/Fax: 015394 36541
Email: trout@hawkshead.demon.co.uk
Website: www.organicfish.com
HOLKER ESTATES
Holker Hall has been owned by the Cavendish family for over
400 years. The hall, gardens and deer park are open to the
public every Sunday to Friday between March and October, with
an admission charge for the hall and gardens.
Deer have been resident at Holker since the 1700s and can
be seen at most times of the year. Today the 300-strong herd
of fallow deer is farmed on organic lines with plans to achieve
similar organic status for the estate's sheep.
The recently opened Food Hall stocks a good range of organic
and non-organic produce, with an emphasis on locally sourced
quality foods. Much of the meat, including organic venison
and the local speciality of saltmarsh lamb, comes from the
Holker estate. A mail order service is available. Other visitor
facilities include a café, gift shop and the Lakeland
Motor Museum (all open every day from March to December).
Much of the estate is accessible to wheelchair users, with
help provided for visitors with hearing and sight impairments.
A pleasant 2-km walk along part of the Cumbria Coastal Way
links Holker Hall with Howbarrow Organic Farm (see inset map
for route details).
Holker Hall is signposted from the A590. The nearest railway
station is at Cark-in-Cartmel, approximately one mile away.
A bus service (no. 532) stops at Cark village, approximately
½ mile away.
Holker Hall
Cark-in-Cartmel
Near Grange-over-Sands
Cumbria
LA11 7PL
Tel: 015395 58328
Email: katieraw@holker.co.uk
Website: www.holker-hall.co.uk
HOWBARROW ORGANIC FARM
Howbarrow was one of the first farms to become organic in
south Cumbria. Since 1996 they have successfully grown a range
of organic salad crops and culinary and medicinal herbs within
polytunnels. A small flock of traditional sheep and cattle
provide a quantity of organic meat, with free-range organic
turkeys also available at Christmas.
An established farm shop (open 10.00 - 5.00 on Wed &
Sat) sells a range of organic and environmentally friendly
products including fresh and frozen vegetables, meat, cereals,
snacks, toiletries, cleaning liquids, etc. as well as their
own herbal tinctures. Produce is also available directly to
your door through a highly commended box scheme and a mail
order scheme - see website for further details. Howbarrow
won the national Organic Farm Shop Award in 2002.
Visitors are encouraged to walk around the farm on a designated
trail. This looks at how organic principles are applied to
the production of food crops and livestock and highlights
various conservation projects.
A pleasant 2-km walk along part of the Cumbria Coastal Way
links Howbarrow with Holker Hall (see inset map for route
details).
Howbarrow is well signposted from Cartmel, with car parking
on site. Accommodation including a hearty organic breakfast
is also available at the farm.
 Howbarrow
Farm
Cartmel
Grange over Sands
Cumbria
LA11 7SS
Contact: Julia Sayburn or Paul Hughes
Tel/Fax: 015395 36330
Email: enquiries@howbarroworganic.demon.co.uk
Website: www.howbarroworganic.demon.co.uk
LOW SIZERGH FARM
Low Sizergh Farm is part of the Sizergh Castle estate and
farmed by the Park family. There is an established farm shop
(Low Sizergh Barn) with a craft gallery and tea room (open
daily except Xmas and New Year).
The farm converted to organic status in 2002 and produces
19,000 litres of milk per week. Most of the milk goes into
the wholesale organic milk market but some is made into organic
cheese (Kendal Creamy and Kendal Crumbly) - available in the
shop and other outlets. The farm also produces and sells its
own free-range organic eggs.
Low Sizergh Barn sells an extensive range of other products
- eggs, meats, preserves, cakes, vegetables, fruits, drinks,
etc - many sourced from other organic producers in Cumbria.
The tea room looks out over the milking parlour, where around
3.45 p.m. each day you can watch the cows being milked whilst
you are enjoying afternoon tea!
Outside, visitors can stroll around the farm on a waymarked
trail to learn more about how organic farming produces good
food whilst looking after the environment. New ponds have
been created, old orchards replanted and hedges relaid, with
much of the work funded by the Countryside Stewardship scheme.
Low Sizergh Farm is located just off the A591 near Kendal
and is well signposted. There is ample parking. A regular
bus service (service 555) runs between Lancaster and Keswick
via Kendal, stopping at Sizergh Castle.
Low Sizergh Farm
Sizergh
Kendal
Cumbria
LA8 8AE
Contact: Alison Park (farm shop) or Richard Park (farm)
Tel: 015395 60426
Fax: 015395 61475
Email: apark@low-sizergh-barn.co.uk
Website: www.low-sizergh-barn.co.uk
MANSERGH HALL
Mansergh Hall has been farmed by the Hadwin family for four
generations and currently produces award-winning Mansergh
Hall lamb and Aberdeen Angus beef. The farm is in the process
of conversion and will achieve organic status in September
2004. Much of the meat is supplied to local hotels and restaurants
with the remainder sold through the on-site farm shop. The
shop also sells the farm's award-winning dry-cured bacon and
sausages from free-range Saddleback pigs. The shop is open
Tues-Fri (9.00 - 5.00), Saturday (9.00 - 1.30) and at other
times by appointment. A mail order service is also in operation
- see the website for further details.
Mansergh Hall is only accessible by car, with ample parking
for the farm shop.
Mansergh Hall Farm
Mansergh
Kirkby Lonsdale
Cumbria
LA6 2EN
Contact: Jim Hadwin
Tel: 015242 71397
Fax: 015242 72219
Email: info@manserghhall.co.uk
Website: www.manserghhall.co.uk
PIKE SIDE FARM
Pike Side is a National Trust farm perched high above the
Duddon valley at the maximum height at which livestock farming
can be carried out. The Askew family have farmed at Pike Side
since the 1920s. The farm has never been treated with herbicides
or pesticides and as a result the ancient hay meadows are
rich in flora and fauna with over 100 varieties of national
conservation importance (best seen from late June to early
September). The whole farm is designated as an environmentally
sensitive area and certified as organic by the Soil Association.
Shorthorn cattle and Herdwick sheep graze the farm in order
to conserve the biodiversity; the herb-rich meadows attract
butterflies and provide a habitat for many other species;
the ancient hedgerows and woodlands are home to red squirrels,
dormice and owls. Swathes of bracken will shortly be controlled
through the introduction of traditional breeds of pigs.
A farm trail has recently been established that takes visitors
around the wild flower meadows, tracts of ancient woodlands
and pastures with schedules archaeological sites. Parking
is in the designated area with self-guided trail leaflets
available.
Pike Side Farm
Ulpha
Broughton-in-Furness
Cumbria
LA20 6EY
Contact: Anne Askew
Tel/Fax: 01229 716683
Tel: 01229 716188
Email: pike.side@virgin.net
Website: www.duddonvalleywool.co.uk
USEFUL CONTACTS
Cumbria Organics was set up in 1999 to provide self-help
support to the increasing number of local farmers converting
to organic production and is supported by the Cumbria Fells
and Dales LEADER+ Programme. The group also raises consumer
awareness about organic food, helps to develop supply chains
and provides technical information for anyone interested in
farming to organic standards.
Further information can be found on the website at www.cumbriaorganics.org
or contact Joyce Brocklebank on 01229 716439 or email Joyce@aol.com.
GETTING AROUND
Some of the organic producers highlighted in this leaflet
can be accessed by public transport - details in the entries.
For more information on bus services, contact Traveline on
08700 608 2608.
Email: info@traveline-cumbria.co.uk.
Website: www.traveline.org.uk.
CREDITS
Written and produced by Anna Gray for LEADER+ (Cumbria Fells
& Dales).
Designed by Andrew Lathwell Design Limited.
Printed by Reeds Printers, Penrith, 2004
Front cover photographs by Howbarrow Farm
Other photographs supplied by Low Sizergh, Howbarrow, Hawkshead
Trout Farm, Holker Hall estates, Deer 'n' Dexter, Mike Birch,
Anna Gray and Val Corbett.
LEADER+ (Cumbria Fells & Dales)
The Old Stables,
Redhills,
Penrith,
Cumbria,
CA11 0DT
Tel: 01768 869533
Email: info@fellsanddales.org.uk
Website: www.fellsanddales.org.uk
For visually impaired people
an enlarged PDF version (text only) is available here.
This is one of a series of themed trails being produced
by LEADER+ (Cumbria Fells & Dales) to promote the area
and its local products.
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