Scottish Dairy Farm Seeks £300K Investment to Counter "Big Dairy" with Zero-Waste Expansion
Source: DairyNews.today
Mossgiel Farm, a historic Scottish dairy once owned by renowned poet Robert Burns, is gearing up to launch a £300,000 crowdfunding campaign to finance its expansion.
The farm, famous for its connection to Burns’ iconic poem "To a Mouse," is spearheading a push against large dairy corporations with plans to build a zero-waste facility. This investment will double its production capacity and enable the farm to make organic, sustainable milk more accessible, particularly with an expansion into the London market.
Bryce Cunningham, who took over Mossgiel Farm in 2015, highlighted the detrimental impact of large dairy operations on small-scale farmers. "For too long, big dairy has driven down prices and margins, devaluing milk through over-processing and commoditization," he stated. "We are not afraid to challenge these practices, much like Rabbie Burns did in his time."
The crowdfunding initiative, set to launch on Crowdcube next week, is part of a broader £900,000 investment strategy. Cunningham aims to secure the remaining capital from private investors and financial institutions. Since transitioning to organic farming, Mossgiel has experienced a dramatic turnaround, achieving £2 million in annual revenue with 30% year-over-year growth. The farm now produces 1.5 million litres of organic milk each year.
At the core of Mossgiel’s operations are sustainability and animal welfare, with practices such as allowing cows to raise their calves naturally and eliminating single-use plastics in favor of glass bottles. "We want to give people the opportunity to join us in reshaping the future of farming in Scotland and beyond," Cunningham added, stressing that ethical, transparent farming practices can offer a solution to the challenges posed by industrial dairy.
Bryce Cunningham, who took over Mossgiel Farm in 2015, highlighted the detrimental impact of large dairy operations on small-scale farmers. "For too long, big dairy has driven down prices and margins, devaluing milk through over-processing and commoditization," he stated. "We are not afraid to challenge these practices, much like Rabbie Burns did in his time."
The crowdfunding initiative, set to launch on Crowdcube next week, is part of a broader £900,000 investment strategy. Cunningham aims to secure the remaining capital from private investors and financial institutions. Since transitioning to organic farming, Mossgiel has experienced a dramatic turnaround, achieving £2 million in annual revenue with 30% year-over-year growth. The farm now produces 1.5 million litres of organic milk each year.
At the core of Mossgiel’s operations are sustainability and animal welfare, with practices such as allowing cows to raise their calves naturally and eliminating single-use plastics in favor of glass bottles. "We want to give people the opportunity to join us in reshaping the future of farming in Scotland and beyond," Cunningham added, stressing that ethical, transparent farming practices can offer a solution to the challenges posed by industrial dairy.
