Special showcase for products

Mearns farmer is hosting autumn market

A farmer is preparing to host a special autumn market to bring together consumers and primary producers.

Fiona Smith, who runs Westerton Farmers along with her parents David and Sheila Gammie, is holding a two-day autumn harvest market next month.

She said next month’s open day will feature pumpkins grown at the family’s Cairnton Farm, near Laurencekirk, home to its Spud Hut farm shop, as well as activities for children including a bouncy castle, face painting and the opportunity to see two calves from the farm’s suckler herd.

The event, which takes place on October 26 and 27, will feature produce from the family’s 900-acre farm enterprise, along with goods from other local producers and businesses including Barra Bronze Turkeys, Mearns Marmalades and Castleton Farm Shop.

“I’m really passionate about communicating with the public and letting them see what we do,” said Mrs Smith.

“I think it’s really important for the public to see what we, as farmers, do. All we are trying to do is provide them with the best home-produced food that we can.

“The Spud Hut is going really well. We saw there was a little gap in the market for really fresh, straight-from-the-farm vegetables,” added Mrs Smith.

“It’s our second year of trading and this year we have planted pretty much double what we had last year.”

The bulk of the produce sold at the Spud Hut, which can be purchased with cash via an honesty box or through PayPal, is grown in a vegetable patch alongside the main farm buildings.

Vegetables planted include pumpkins, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, beetroot, turnips, potatoes and spring onion.

The family regularly holds farm open days and 230 pumpkins were sold at a similar event last year.

Next month’s event runs from 10am to 4pm each day.

Picture: Steven Brown. Fiona Smith with her son Mathew as she prepares to host a special two-day market featuring produce from her farm at Laurencekirk and other producers.