Kiplingcotes Farm becomes first recipient of a 'Genuine Own' badge from FARMA

Kiplingcotes Farm at Dalton Holme, Beverley, East Yorkshire, which trades as www.threelittlepigsonline.co.uk and at farmers’ markets in the region, is the first farmers’ market stallholder in the UK to earn a ’Genuine Own’ (GO) badge under a new Verified Producer standard from the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA).

The verification is based on a professional, independent assessment of the scale of the farming business and its potential output, as well as the overall standard of animal welfare. Kiplingcotes Farm, owned by Jonathan Clarkson, passed with flying colours on all aspects of the inspection.

Jonathan Clarkson said, ’I was delighted to take part in the producer verification scheme, which was very thorough yet supportive, and I look forward to using the ’Genuine Own’ badge. I hope that I will be the first of many to use it as it is vital for consumers to be able to trust stallholders – and farmers trading on-line – and know for sure that they are buying foods that genuinely come from our own farms. So far they have had to take our word for it, or take the trouble to come and see us. Now there is a distinctive logo to look out for that only genuine producers will be able to use and which rewards the hard work that takes place on the farm before we come to the market.’

The organisation behind the scheme, FARMA, works with farm shops nationwide and is encouraging others to take up the scheme from January 2010. Rita Exner, FARMA Secretary commented, ’Three Little Pigs at Kiplingcotes Farm is a perfect example of the businesses we want to support with the Genuine Own scheme. We have been Certifying farmers’ markets as retail units for some time; this new scheme ensures that customer confidence in farmers’ markets is well-founded and rewards hard-working farmers and growers with a real seal of approval.’