A new training programme for crofters, farmers, smallholders and other small-scale producers has been announced to provide support in setting up a local food businesses.
The Scottish Crofting Federation have created the programme to support those who are looking to start-up their own business using their own primary produce like eggs, meat, vegetables, fruit and other crops.
The programme is made up of online workshops and two-day in-person courses – which will be taking place in Carloway on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 November at the Carloway Community Centre. The course will start at 9.30am and will finish at 5pm on Tuesday, and on Wednesday it will start at 9am and finish at 4.30pm. There is also an evening session on Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm. To book a place and find out more information about the day, click here.
Topics covered include how to choose a product to sell, pricing, marketing, food regulations, taxation, business planning, meat boxes and food hubs.
The content will be delivered by crofters and other small producers who have been in the business of local food for many years and have a wide range of knowledge to share.
As part of the programme, there will be opportunities to visit working crofts to see local production and plenty of practical advice on how to overcome the challenges that come with producing food for local markets.
Participants will visit Lewis crofter Sandy Granville's croft in Tolsta to hear about the challenges of setting up a local food business and how he has overcome them. John Hamilton from 44 Ranish will also join the group in Carloway to share his experiences of local food production.
The programme will be delivered against a backdrop of growing interest in returning to short supply chains, where food is sold and eaten close to where it is produced, given the impacts of climate change and destabilising world events which have brought the issue of food security and local resilience into sharp relief.
Pointing to the 2024 Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act and the 2022 Good Food Nation Act, the Scottish Crofting Federation said the need for nutritious food produced sustainably for the benefit of nature, climate, animal welfare, human health and rural communities was very much on the Scottish Government’s agenda.
Donna Smith, SCF Chief Executive, said the Federation was passionate about supporting small producers to do what they do best.
“We strongly believe that crofters and other small producers are ideally placed to play a central role in delivering sustainable and regenerative agriculture and contributing to vibrant local food economies within their communities. However, for those who are thinking of selling their food locally, it’s often hard to know where to start. Crofters tell us that the best way for them to learn is from other crofters and small producers who know what the realities and challenges are of growing and selling on a small scale”.
For members, the course will cost £50, and for non-members it is £80. To book onto the course, click here.
The programme is part funded by the Scottish Government’s Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund and the Pebble Trust. The in-person part of the programme has been badged for Lantra funding through the Small Producers Practical Training Fund, the Next Generation Practical Training fund and the Women in Agriculture Practical Training Fund.
This will give those who may be affected by financial barriers the opportunity to attend the sessions for free and potentially receive support for travel and accommodation if a course is not being run in their local area.
Anyone wish to get in touch about this is asked to contact
