Forest farm Dairy was recommended by the Chair of the NE Committee David Fyffe. The co-owners are Angus and William. William previously worked as a solicitor in Aberdeen before returning to the farm to support his brother after they came up with the concept of Forest Farm.
Forest Farm is an organic dairy located in Kinellar near Aberdeen. Recognising the pressures on traditional dairies the farm diversified several years ago, installing Scotlands first milk vending machine and up until 2021 operated a self-service farm shop on site. In 2021 they added a 50 meter squared staffed farm shop featuring hot drinks, takeaway and a new Gelateria to enjoy their farm made Italian style ice cream produced from the fresh milk from cows on the farm.
Diversification has been key to the future of many farm businesses particularly dairy farms who have suffered with low income. Forest farm were an early pioneer, selling organic milk through a self service vending facility on farm. The expansion of the building and a staffed shop alongside the vending facility was a risk. Two new members of staff were taken on to assist with production and sales and more have since been taken on, creating much needed rural employment. Beyond the shop however, the farm carry out education tours for locals as well as hosting farmer visits. This year they were part of the TheBigHop2023 trail organised by Clan Cancer Support.
The farm provides vital new employment in the region, educational tours, encourages other local farm groups in and works with other small local businesses such as Louises farm kitchen and Smoke and Soul. This helps to encourage tourists and locals to eat local produced fresh products whilst enjoying the natural wildflowers gardens planted around the site.
The dairy farm is a fully certified organic unit having been an early adopter of the organic system over 20 years ok in 1998. The farm is longest established dairy farm in Scotland milking around 150 cows. Angus and Williams parents were keen to show that farming could be done in a sustainable way with high animal welfare. The change to organic along with the forest farm story has led to many visits by farmer groups and many similar facilities opening at other locations.