Leap of faith pays off for couple behind Fife business Meadowsweet Organics

Rosy McLean and David Demjanovic produce vegetables, flowers and medicinal herbs

Scotland’s temperamental climate makes farming difficult at the best of times.

But farming some of the most niche of organic vegetable crops, flowers and medicinal herbs amid the backdrop of colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours can prove even harder still.

Yet it is a challenge Rosy McLean and David Demjanovic have scaled and surmounted with the launch of their Fife-based micro-farm business, Meadowsweet Organics.

The firm, which takes its name from a native perennial herb, has stood firm against the rigours of unpredictable weather, gale-force winds and hungry rabbits from its small foothold of land at the progressive Falkland Estate.

Here, the couple have based their farm model around the development of a diverse natural environment coupled to a high degree of bio-diversity – although, according to Rosy, having a polytunnel certainly helps.

“We really did take a leap of faith when we launched the farm business last year,” said Rosy.

“I’ve always lived by the rule of doing what I love, so when the golden opportunity came up to go it alone and to launch our own business, it made brilliant sense.”

Growing up in Shetland, surrounded by crofts, the smaller scale of the enterprise suits Rosy’s approach and although Fife is a relatively long way from ‘home’, the land is just a stone’s throw from the Pillars of Hercules cafe and organic growing operation where the couple’s story began.

“David and I actually met there around five years ago when I was a volunteer,” said Rosy.

“Although I had studied the environment at university, learning all about agricultural systems, I don’t think it was until I found the Pillars of Hercules that I really discovered my niche.”

During the intervening years, the couple spent time immersing themselves into experiencing different organic enterprises, working from Somerset to Ireland covering everything from farming to floristry, before returning to Scotland.

David worked in garden centres and Rosy worked at Realfoods organic grocery in Edinburgh, before the opportunity finally arose for them to realise their own dream.

Rosy and David created the model for their business with assistance from Business Gateway and also gained some financial support from the Prince’s Trust. Their farmland is now home to a rich supply of produce from more than 200 different plant species.

The couple now produce a mix of hardy and traditional varieties of vegetables and delicate medicinal herbs and salads.

“We sell both through trade, retail and farmers markets so although we enjoy trying to grow different varieties, we do also need to grow crops that will give us a quick return,” Rosy said.

Rosy McLean and David Demjanovic with dog Luna.