Farm & Country Supplies, based in Epping are an independent supplier to farmers and smallholders across Essex & Hertfordshire. With a website, mail order and retail store stocked with over 10’000 lines, there is little Farm & Country cannot supply.
However their approach is a little different – aimed specifically at smallholders, they offer a wealth of free advice and guidance for smallholders. Ranging from free ‘how to guides’ that can be posted out or printed from the website, to You-Tube videos of specific techniques & products in use, support is free and easy to access. In fact Farm & Country have just hired a new member of staff to start in the new year who’s role is to specifically develop the relationship between the business and smallholder groups like ours.
Mick O’Malley has been running a specialist rare breeds farm for the last 21 years and has significant experience with Rare Breed Pigs, Poultry, Sheep, Goats, Horse & Cattle. Mick will be attending our January meeting to introduce himself and explain more how we can pick his brains for advice and support on all matters livestock. Mick was previously on the council of the Rare Breed Survival Trust and was recently honoured by them for his commitment to rare breeds over the past 20 years.
Mick’s colleague Keith will also be attending. Keith is a smallholder himself and has experience with poultry, cattle and rare breed pigs. Keith’s area of expertise is in the infrastructure of a farm or smallholding, such as paddock maintenance, fencing (including the effective use of electric fencing), field troughs, housing etc.
Rachael who runs the store is married to a farmer and keeps rare breed poultry herself. Rachael is an RSQP (Qualified to advise on and dispense animal medicines)and is available on the phone for advice at any time.
Keith and Mick will be bringing Discount Club Member cards to hand out to everyone that attends the meeting. These entitle the holder to 10% off everything Farm & Country Supplies other than feeds. They have also suggested they will be buying a few drinks.
Don't miss out
Meeting at
Blue Boar Hotel, Silver Street
7pm for 7:30pm
We are a group of micro farmers who welcome anyone who keeps animals or grows vegetables and fruit, or loves cooking! Who would like to come along to our meetings or events and share their experiences with others. You don't need to have lots of animals to be a "smallholder." Many people who grow vegetables, have some bees or maybe a couple of backyard chickens come along and enjoy the meetings and events as well.