How can Pitch Up! help reduce risk for businesses joining our farms? What do cows and space communications have in common? And what the hell is “oggy grog”?!
Put the kettle on and take 10 minutes to tune into this fascinating chat between two farmers at opposite ends of the country, brought together by their shared values and abundant opportunities.
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FARM FOCUS: More about Rosuick Organic Farm
Home to award-winning farmers, wildlife-rich ecosystems, meaningful community projects and events, and…a herd of Bactrian camels!
Rosuick Organic Farm, based on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, is a hub of business and community activity. But the farm still has lots of untapped potential – which is why farmers (and brothers) David and Stuart Oates have joined forces with Pitch Up!
They’re hoping to give Cornish businesses and start-ups with promising propositions a leg-up by sharing their land, resources and industry expertise.
“Pitch Up! fits with our farm ethos of businesses working together to grow and succeed.”
Who?
Home to the Oates family since the 1700s, Rosuick has a rich and ever-evolving history. Today, David and Stuart manage the land on a commercial basis, but with a strong environmental ethos. They’re big advocates for nature-friendly farming and have transformed the farm into a sustainable management blueprint.
Rosuick is a Beacon Farm for the Sustainable Food Trust; both David and Stuart are 2025 Nuffield Scholars; Stuart has been selected for the 2025 Oxford Farming Conference Inspire programme; and David is an ambassador for Soil Association Agroforestry. Stuart is also an environmental journalist and broadcaster.
The Oates family works alongside a range of local businesses and creatives, supporting seaweed harvesters, beehive suppliers, sculptors and carpenters (to name but a few). All of the businesses are very social, regularly planning meet-ups in their small community.
Rosuick farm also reaches out to the local community more broadly, hosting school trips and forest schools, an annual wildlife conference, and wellbeing visits for people struggling with their mental health, a disability, or a difficult diagnosis.
Where?
The traditional farmstead is located on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula: a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty renowned for its rare wildlife, geology and cove-dotted coastline.
Just a few miles from Britain’s most southerly point, but with easy road access (10 minutes’ drive from Helston), Rosuick Organic Farm is a 1,500-acre topographical patchwork made up of grass leys, woodland pastures, ponds and large swathes of unspoiled heathland.
This diverse mix of habitats makes Rosuick an ideal location for educational programmes, informing visitors about the connections between agriculture and the environment.
What?
David and Stuart use their land to raise Pedigree Welsh Black Cattle for organic beef and Pedigree Clun Forest sheep for organic lamb. But these aren’t the only four-legged residents to be found at the farm: a herd of Bactrian camels has proven particularly popular among event and wedding guests.
Rosuick is also growing heritage grains and experimental crops, which they’re hoping might appeal to potential PitchUp! applicants interested in milling, flour and baked goods.
Agroforestry initiatives are well underway on the farm, with orchards and fruit trees, timber, shelter belts and specially designed moveable fencing all part of the system. As part of a Meadow Match project, the Oates have also planted species-rich grasslands and contributed to local seed exchanges.
Rosuick also hosts educational visits, with activities tailored to children of all ages and adults with additional needs. Camping, shepherd hut accommodation and guided tours give additional ways for guests to connect with the land. Opening Rosuick up to all members of the community is a priority for the Oates family, and so visitors have access to wheelchair-accessible farm trails.
They also have funding for an amphitheatre to seat around 500 people… watch this space!
Opportunities for 2024 Pitch Up! applications
Resources (all organic) already being produced/ available on the farm that provide opportunities for other businesses include:
Welsh Black beef
Clun Forest lamb
Heritage grains
Alternative crops
Timber (processed in farm sawmill)
Orchard fruit (part of agroforestry system) and gooseberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and nuts
Business wishlist (although all ideas welcome as they know there will be opportunities they haven’t even thought of!):
Processing and marketing of heritage grain-based products, such as baked goods and flour
Meat processing (beef and lamb)
Adding value to meat (eg. making biltong and other dried meats)
Heritage skills (eg. boat building, green oak farming and joinery)
Glamping site manager for the 2025 season
Environmentally focused media companies to help share the work being done at the farm
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