Beef off the Heath started in 2002, when John decided to change the course of his farming life and go organic. Today his Highland, Welsh Black and South Devon cattle roam the heath land which is notoriously difficult to farm on producing some of the finest organic beef in Cornwall.
“I grew up farming here on the Lizard and used to supply the supermarkets but I wanted to reconnect with farming and the land which is why we decided to take the business in a different direction in 2002,” explained John, who today regularly attends farmers’ markets in Penzance, Pendeen and Helston.
“I run the farm with my son, and together we decided to try a different type of farming. We took on the heath land to produce organic beef from our herd of 350 cattle. It’s been a real challenge but we are proud of the quality of the meat we produce. Being a stallholder at the farmers’ markets mean we can tell our customers what we are doing and how we raise the cattle. It makes such a difference from working with the big retailers!”
Beef off the Heath are renowned for their quality cuts of organic beef, as well as handmade steak pies which are available ready to eat at the markets. For more information about Beef off the Heath contact John Bosustow on 01326 290580.
The farmers’ markets in this area are supported by the West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Project – an innovative scheme working to promote 15 farmers’ markets in the area and jointly funded by a grant from West Cornwall Local Action part of the Rural Development Programme for England, funded by the EU and Defra, and managed by the South West RDA.
For more information about the project and other farmers’ markets in West Cornwall visit www.wcfm.org.uk or call Victoria Amran on 07787 561770.