Our farmers
Since 2010 Swaledale Online Butchers has nurtured relationships with trusted farmers and smallholders who share our passion for rare and native breeds and environmentally sustainable farming practices which includes conservation grazing.
We exclusively work with small, local abattoirs so we have complete confidence in not just high animal welfare, but full traceability of all our sustainable, local food products.
Tom Boothman
Linton Hall Farm, Linton in Craven
Tom is a fourth-generation farmer with 600 acres. On his land he breeds from fifty pedigree Belted Galloway cows and twenty traditional Aberdeen Angus. He favours these breeds as they are hardy and fit for the environment, eating from high pastures, not forgetting the fact that they produce excellent meat!
Andy Lambert
Wennigbar Farm, Hellifield
Andy is a first-generation farm owner, who specialises in outdoor reared, native breed Middle White pigs. He also has a couple of dozen Dexter cattle. Andy rears his livestock naturally and slowly. He believes food consumption needs to take a step backwards from supermarket supply chains and factory farming. That the general public consider where food comes from because as a country we can't afford to carry on with intensive farming practices.
Garry Schofield
Heber Farm, Buckden
We are very excited to continue working with Garry Schofield, who has a breeding herd of thirty five Belted Galloway cows. His 1,200 acre National Trust hill farm is located in Buckden, Upper Wharfedale and the land runs up and around the famous Buckden Pike. We had some of his grass-fed beasts late last year, which were exceptional and are looking forward to receiving more early this year.
Robert Philips
Green Farm, Hellifield
All Robert knows is how to farm his 1,100 acres as he is the fourth-generation of Phillips to farm here. He has a herd of 160 Highland as they are able to live all-year outside; they are best for grazing his type of land and produce the best beef! Robert loves working with Swaledale Online Butchers who champion native breeds which are better environmentally.
Phil Hargreaves
Park House Farm, Malham
Phil is the third-generation of his family to farm and champion native breed pigs. All the Hargreaves family are actively involved with the farming side of life. They have 4 Middle White breeding sows, produced from the family's Great Yorkshire Show Champion. In Phil's experience, Middle White pigs are easy-to-handle, quiet and content in the field and, of course, produce fantastic meat.
Edward Wilkinson
Shires Farm, Easingwold
Ed produces poultry of the finest quality. He has seen the shift from mass-produced supermarket meat, to a call for provenance and traceability. His hand-fed Ross chickens live in small flocks and have a unique diet which includes a variety of fresh herbs.
Tim and Josh Vines
Kiln Clough Farm, Edenfield
Father and son work this beautiful 180 acre farm, hoping to eventually create a self-sufficient enterprise with the addition of Belted Galloways to their native breed pigs. They also hope to engage with the public and have farms visits a regular occurrence.
Barbara and Keith Davies
Belmont Farm, Forrest of Boland
Pig farming is in their blood, both coming from farming backgrounds. In 2006 they acquired 8 acres of partially-wooded land where they keep various breeds including Tamworth and Middle White. The pigs thrive in this habitat, living outdoors all-year round, producing the tastiest pork with real depth of flavour.
James Hall
Darnbrook, Arncliffe
James and his family run a National Trust upland farm of 2,700 acres. Driving to James's farm from Skipton through The Dales is quite an experience. Up beyond Malham Cove the landscape opens up and trees disappear; it's incredibly dramatic, almost like a moonscape. They farm Belted Galloway cattle because they suit the low input hill farm system, they are low maintenance and convert grass to meat well, thriving off the rougher terrain. James is one of Swaledale's longest partners.
Mark Luscombe
New Fryers Garth Farm, Malham
Mark's late wife was passionate about native breed Ryeland sheep, originally from Herefordshire. This hardy breed is actually well-suited to the limestone pavement landscapes. The meat from a Ryeland used to be called 'the sweet meat of Herefordshire' and certainly lives up to its old name. Mark also breeds Dexter and Highland cattle.
Charles Marwood
Foulrice Farm, Howardian Hills
Charles remembers the family trip to Bristol forty years ago to buy his first pedigree Dexter cow. He now has 20 breeding cows on his 240 acre farm which he farms with his son Stephen. We believe he produces the best Dexter beef in the country. Also on his land he has pedigree Teeswater lambs. Charles believes the future of farming is to diversify and specialise.
