Andrew and Sally Hattan

Andrew and Sally are first-generation farmers on an isolated hill farm in the Yorkshire Dales. For the first 5 years of their tenancy, they renovated the farm and produced sheep and beef conventionally. 10 years ago, they decided to change in order to be sustainable. They invested in a vision for the future.

The Hattans established a herd of rare-breed, native Northern Dairy Shorthorns and developed the infrastructure, knowledge and skills to make an unpasteurised dales-type cheese consistent with the heritage of their farm. They make cheese seasonally when the cows are out in the grass. They have invested in restoring hay meadows and pastureland. They sell Stonebeck cheese locally and nationally through specialist cheesemongers. This is their website: https://www.stonebeckcheese.co.uk/

Between Andrew and Sally, they can share their direct and indirect experiences, which include: managing change, diversification and added value, setting up a new food business, funding applications, farm consultancy, tenancy applications and cash flow.