Field to Fork Fashion

The cattle hides we sent off last year for tanning have now returned. British Pasture Leather was set up by Alice Robinson and Sarah Grady to take the best hides from regenerative farms suppling field to fork fashion with leather, tanned using natural processes with full traceability back to each animal.

Our first hides were part of an experimental run which helped build the supply chain and established connections with likeminded people. We are looking forward to using the resulting soft and luxurious leather for various projects from seat covers at the Kinneuchar Inn to experimenting with leather workers locally.

Building work continues on multiple sites, from residential refurbs to commercial renovations. With skilled trades required in all areas of these projects, we are delighted to have long term relationships with several local companies who move from one project to the next and are long suffering in their delivery of our sometimes ambitious plans.

Calving and Lambing is now all but complete, with a few stragglers remaining. What a pleasure this season has been with unbroken sunshine still dominating. The first of the early born lambs will be ready for market by the end of this month and the team have been weighing, tagging, vaccinating, mineral drenching (a squirt of multi vitamin liquid in the mouth) and recording growth rates. Cows are all in their respective breeding groups and the bulls join with them to begin the cycle once more.

Our first Grass to Grill tour and supper of the season was focussed on “New Life” providing guests with the full lamb, calf, piglet, emerging seeds explanation. Standing amongst the livestock is always a great place to explain how and why we farm the way we do. Finishing off the tour with a feast of Hogget (12 month old lamb), Beef and salads from East Neuk Market Garden, seated at a long table where conversations about food are made easily.

St Andrews University students recently invited some local farmers to a discussion titled “Growing for the Future” aimed at asking what regenerative farming is and why it matters. A panel of both organic and conventional farmers who all have in common some degree of regenerative practice on their land, were questioned by the students about what it means. The takeaway for us was the genuine interest in purchasing decisions that this generation will make. It seems that they would rather not eat something than risk eating something which is produced in a system they don’t support – the issue is, there is so much confusion about what to ask in order to understand from consumer perspectives. Our industry needs to own the story and its integrity, since retailers have traditionally been the ones using “implied integrity” and language which is misleading. How often are we looking at a label which states “farm fresh” or “Our farms” – neither of which have any real meaning. So the simple message is – if you are in any doubt – if its got Organic on the label – it’s been scrutinised and passed rigorous standards.

Next month we will be running a  Community Engagement display at Bowhouse. The aim of this is to explain the last 20 years in relation to the next 20 years. For it, we will explain the estates objectives and show how progress against these has shaped the estate. The Classroom at Bowhouse is a good place to start if you are interested to see more, and we would be delighted to explain any questions you may have further.

Lastly, our 2024 Pitch-Up! partner is about to build his “Eggmobile”, a trailer with a chicken coop on top. The hens will be moved following cows, pigs and sheep, scratching in the residue. A new enterprise joining our existing ones is both exciting and daunting as we work out how best to integrate. Fortunately, there are plenty of examples already in place across the UK and a network of people who have already made the mistakes, ready to share.