Welsh Farm Organics

Looking into rural businesses on this trip, one thing that has really stood out is the lengths to which some people go in order to create employment for themselves in a part of the world they love; be that the countryside in general, a particular region, or the very farm they grew up on.

As the youngest of three sons growing up on a farm in Mochdre, Mid Wales, Jonathan Rees knew that he would have to come up with some ideas of his own if he was to stay connected to the farm. Having spotted a gap in the market for more affordable organic meat, he decided to set up Welsh Farm Organics, building an on-site processing plant so he could butcher all the meat himself, and providing his customers with good quality, organic beef, pork and lamb, straight from the farm with 100% traceability.

Jonathan now lives on the farm with his wife Sally and their two (probably three by now!) children, and the business appears to be going from strength to strength. The day we went to visit, they were busy preparing all the paperwork for their yearly organic inspection, but Jonathan was kind enough to take the time to show us round the farm. Set amongst the beautiful Montgomeryshire hills, it is not difficult to understand why he wanted to stay!

We then went to look round the processing plant, where they got Ben to show us how to butcher a lamb.

Since launching their online shop in 2004, about 50% of their orders are now taken over the internet and they were even awarded ‘Web Retailer of the Year’ at the 2005 True Taste Awards.

They truly are stars, and were so kind to us when we were visiting (even letting us watch Eastenders for a small dose of urban realism!); they’ve done a fantastic job so far and we wish them all the best for the future.

Welsh Farm Organics, Tyn Y Fron, Pentre, Mochdre, Powys SY16 4JW (01686 627979) www.welshfarmorganics.co.uk