Among Hertford’s Grade II listed buildings are many specialist shops, restaurants and ancient pubs, and once a month 30 farmers descend upon the market town’s cobbled streets to present their produce.

But these are no ordinary farmers and this is no ordinary farmers’ market. Thanks to East Herts District Council’s Grown in Herts project, funded by EEDA, the producers are given training to help them make the most of their stalls.

“We decided that it wasn’t enough to just give farmers the opportunity to sell their produce in Hertford town centre every second Saturday and leave them to get on with it,” says Carole Skidmore, Project Development Manager, and Grown in Herts. “We wanted to support them with sales skills, for example, to make sure they really make it a success for everyone involved.”

One example of a successful local business that has grown thanks to EEDA funding and the farmers’ markets at Hertford and elsewhere in the region is Perrywood Farm, at Watton-at-Stone. Bridget Borlase started selling direct to the public two years ago at the Herts Show at Redbourn. Today her traditional beef is in demand from three village shops, six pubs, a delicatessen and a local farm shop – as well as the 26 farmers’ markets she now attends.

The farm has employed a part-time butcher in their new cutting room and now has the capacity to employ a full-time butcher.  The farm hopes to have a farm shop in the future and become just as famous for their pork and lamb.