OUR STORY
Cools Farm Organics is run in a share-farm operation, the land owners, Quentin and Maggie Edwards opened up their farm in October 2021 to Tom Stinton, a local young farmer wanting to get on the farming ladder. We began share farming as we all have the same belief in organic and sustainable farming.
Cools Farm is situated on the edge of the stunning Cranborne chase, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We have 180 acres of organic grassland, with an additional 30 acres of woodland. Our acreage at Cools is accompanied by a further 120 acres of rented organic pasture and 280 acres of organic downland at Lower Pertwood Organic Farm. The dry grazing at Pertwood in the winter allows us to out-winter our heifers each year, accompanied by our sheep, meaning that there are less inputs during the winter months. It's also a very pretty place, with similar views towards the countryside to us, with their stunning wild flower strips and diverse grass swards.
Here, at Cools Farm we honour natural systems and we farm in ways that increase biodiversity and regenerate the land, having a positive impact on our British countryside. The Environment in which animals live, and the food they eat, play a big part in the flavour and nutritional quality of their meats. Regenerative techniques such as carbon sequestration, through our extensive woodlands, allowing the seeding of wild flowers through our Higher Tier Stewardship Schemes, and the careful management of holistic rotational grazing, resulting in improvement of soil health, the protection of our native flora and fauna and helping to combat climate change.
The Cools Herd of
Pedigree Red Polls
We are the 'Cools' herd of pedigree Red Poll cattle, the largest Organic Pedigree Red Poll cattle herd in the UK!
The Red Poll is a dual-purpose breed, native to the UK. The breed was developed in the late 19th century and stems from a cross between the Norfolk Red beef cattle and Suffolk Dun dairy cattle, both of these breeds no longer exist.
The Red Polls were enlisted on the endangered breeds list back in 1987 by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, but due to their newfound popularity, Red Polls are an at risk breed.
The Red Polls being a native slow-maturing breed have naturally occurring marbling, rich in flavour and omega 3 fatty oils. Before butchery all of our beef is aged on the bone for 3-4 weeks to intensity the flavour and guarantee that tenderness we all love. We believe that the outcome is worth the wait!
Exlana. 'Genetics Not Cosmetics'
Our Exlana's are a composite maternal breed developed with profit in mind, they are low input, low labour and wool shedding. Focusing on the genetics, Exlana breeders believe the future of UK lamb production relies in efficient forge conversion, low labour and reduced chemical inputs, the Exlana are bred with this in mind.
The Exlana fits in with our ethos, their natural worm resistance means the use of less anthelmintics (wormers), their shedding ability means they put less energy into growing that big fleece you see on traditional breeds and she reallocates that energy to be productive elsewhere.
Exlana, Sheep Improved Genetics
100% Grass-fed Organic Regenerative Meat.
Our animals are kept within the highest welfare standards and this shows in our top quality produce. Our livestock are happy which means as farmers we are happy. Ethically farmed from birth to butchery we guarantee that all of our cattle and sheep have been reared with care and respect through every stage from field to fork. Our 100% Pasture-fed beef and lamb are lower in cholesterol, higher in Omega 3 fatty acids and higher in heart disease-fighting antioxidant vitamins, like vitamin E.
