Potato Review

30 POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 AWARD-WINNING GROWERS A Cornish family of potato growers recently took the Family Farming Business of the Year’ gold prize at the British Farming Awards, which is sponsored by Morrisons. The Dustow family has been growing potatoes for more than 100 years on their 500 acre farm in Cornwall which is currently run by three generations of the family, Clive, Mike and Chris. When faced with the loss of a major customer in 2014, the family sought new customers, which now include a range of Cornish pasty bakeries, fish and chip shops, which includes celebrity chef Rick Stein’s chain of restaurants nationwide, as well as large processors and crisp makers. “We believe we have a unique combination of contracts and open market prices compared with other potato farmers which hopefully eliminates risk,” said Chris. In 2012 the family invested 250k in grading and cold storage facilities which has since been expanded to allow for growth of the business. This also allowed them to produce fresh chips direct from the farm and in its first year this investment has paid for itself and is growing in popularity. Chris said this filled a niche in the market and the family has since been able to balance out costs in varying years and ensure they are able to maintain employment on the farm. A further diversification which was spearheaded by Steve Dustow is the production of Cornwall’s first potato vodka which is distilled on the farm and was recently crowned second best vodka in the world. The family’s farm shop, which operates an honesty box system, has also been successful and now markets other farm-produced products from the local area as well as Colwith Farm potatoes which are bagged in smaller bags for customer convenience. The Dustows say their proudest achievement as a farming family has been the growth they have seen in their business Leading the way for the next generation over the last seven years, whereby turnover has increased by nine times and profit has followed suit. Chris said the family had made “huge changes” to ensure a future in farming for the future generation. The Dustow family at Colwith Farm. Cornish family and Yorkshire inventor share their success stories after being rewarded at national farming awards. The Dustow family receive their award. “Family is at the heart and soul of our business and is why together we throw everything into it.” Chris Dustow