RAF proud to sponsor Diversification Award

WE were honoured to meet and celebrate some of Britain’s most brilliant farmers as one of the sponsors of the recent Northern Farmer Awards!

Rural Asset Finance’s northern region sales manager Adam Kershaw was delighted to present the Diversification Award to Mark and Louise Day of New Sheepfold Farm.

We were really impressed with how the North Yorkshire couple have developed what was a 250-acre dairy farm into numerous other revenue streams including beef cattle, breeding sheep, a luxury shepherds’ hut glamping site and even a frozen meat vending machine to sell beef and lamb to visitors and holiday guests!

“Congratulations to Mark and Louise, and all the other finalists,” said Adam. “As a direct lender who enables farmers to turn their diversification ideas into reality, we were really impressed with their vision and dedication to create a truly long-term sustainable business.

“We know from the customers we’ve helped just how brilliant and resourceful farmers are in coming up with ideas for new revenue streams, and Mark and Louise are a fantastic example of that.”

The category runners-up at the ceremony, held at Pavilions of Harrogate, included a vineyard and development of an on-farm butcher and baker – both also typical of the sort of major diversification funded by Rural Asset Finance.

“Every farm is different and every idea is different, with different circumstances – but we can provide bespoke funding packages that exactly suit our customers’ individual situation,” said Adam. “We all have farming backgrounds and we are always on the side of the farmer.”

Have a diversification idea that you would like to discuss funding options for? Give us a call on 0345 0303 475 – or run your idea through our finance calculator!