Diane Best, Jersey’s largest sheep farmer, has become a member of the Genuine Jersey Products Association (GJPA). Diane, who farms at Le Pavillon in St Martin, is the first lamb producer to join the Association and will be selling Genuine Jersey Lamb at next weekend’s Country Fayre at the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society (29th – 31st May).
Diane was admitted to membership of the Association at the same time as Woodside Farm in Trinity which exports a substantial number of daffodils from the Island. The two new members were admitted at a committee meeting of the GJPA last week and this brings the number of existing members to 33.
Chairman of the Association, Hamish Marett-Crosby says he’s delighted with the new memberships which demonstrate the strength of the GJPA and its popularity amongst local producers.
He says: “Word is quickly spreading that membership of the GJPA offers huge potential to local businesses. Not only does it give visitors to Jersey an opportunity to find locally made products but it also promotes Island businesses to people in the community who are not always aware of the skills and talents which exist on their doorstep.”
Diane began sheep farming more than 20 years ago. She is one of a handful of small lamb producers in Jersey and has a flock of 80 sheep.
She says: “Over the past few years I have built up a good trade, selling lamb from the farm but I wanted to raise awareness of what I do and joining Genuine Jersey seemed the perfect solution. There is a lot of demand for good quality local produce and I use traditional methods to rear the animals which means they do not come into contact with any herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers.
“Sheep are also incredibly good for the land as they keep it aerated, fertilized and free of weeds - as well as being attractive to look at!”
Diane will join other Genuine Jersey members who will be displaying their goods within a special GJPA marquee at the Country Fayre on bank holiday weekend.
Woodside Farm is the other new member of Genuine Jersey. The farm, which grows over 20 types of flowers including lillies, spray carnations and tulips, has been in the Gallichan family since the 1800s. It is now run by three generations of the family who last year sold the majority of their Jersey Royal business to concentrate on their local and export flower markets. They also grow vegetables including onions, Swedes and maincrop potatoes.
Charles Gallichan says: “Next year we plan to develop further our exports of daffodils to France and the UK.
“We recently sold our interest in Jersey Royals so we could expand our flower production. We have a florist shop on site which caters for events like weddings and funerals and we hope the Genuine Jersey logo will raise our profile as a high quality local producer.”
Members of the Association are currently raising awareness of Genuine Jersey by attending a number of Island fairs and festivals. As well as the popular Trinity Manor Farm Open Day they have recently started the farmers and craft markets in St Aubin which will run throughout the summer.
Diane was admitted to membership of the Association at the same time as Woodside Farm in Trinity which exports a substantial number of daffodils from the Island. The two new members were admitted at a committee meeting of the GJPA last week and this brings the number of existing members to 33.
Chairman of the Association, Hamish Marett-Crosby says he’s delighted with the new memberships which demonstrate the strength of the GJPA and its popularity amongst local producers.
He says: “Word is quickly spreading that membership of the GJPA offers huge potential to local businesses. Not only does it give visitors to Jersey an opportunity to find locally made products but it also promotes Island businesses to people in the community who are not always aware of the skills and talents which exist on their doorstep.”
Diane began sheep farming more than 20 years ago. She is one of a handful of small lamb producers in Jersey and has a flock of 80 sheep.
She says: “Over the past few years I have built up a good trade, selling lamb from the farm but I wanted to raise awareness of what I do and joining Genuine Jersey seemed the perfect solution. There is a lot of demand for good quality local produce and I use traditional methods to rear the animals which means they do not come into contact with any herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers.
“Sheep are also incredibly good for the land as they keep it aerated, fertilized and free of weeds - as well as being attractive to look at!”
Diane will join other Genuine Jersey members who will be displaying their goods within a special GJPA marquee at the Country Fayre on bank holiday weekend.
Woodside Farm is the other new member of Genuine Jersey. The farm, which grows over 20 types of flowers including lillies, spray carnations and tulips, has been in the Gallichan family since the 1800s. It is now run by three generations of the family who last year sold the majority of their Jersey Royal business to concentrate on their local and export flower markets. They also grow vegetables including onions, Swedes and maincrop potatoes.
Charles Gallichan says: “Next year we plan to develop further our exports of daffodils to France and the UK.
“We recently sold our interest in Jersey Royals so we could expand our flower production. We have a florist shop on site which caters for events like weddings and funerals and we hope the Genuine Jersey logo will raise our profile as a high quality local producer.”
Members of the Association are currently raising awareness of Genuine Jersey by attending a number of Island fairs and festivals. As well as the popular Trinity Manor Farm Open Day they have recently started the farmers and craft markets in St Aubin which will run throughout the summer.
