Marc’s Story

Marc Evans, Cuckoo Grove Farm

Producing milk doesn’t get much simpler or natural than it does around our Haverfordwest creamery. Lots of luscious grass grows… the cows eat it… produce milk… which our creamery collects and works its magic to produce delicious cheese. Of course there’s a lot more to it than that, as our farmers are quick to point out. But in principle that’s all there is to it – it’s just as Mother Nature intended!

For Marc and Sally Evans, fifth generation farmers from Cuckoo Grove, Haven Road, just down the road from the creamery, the natural way of dairy farming that had been practiced by his family for four generations before him, just wasn’t quite natural enough. Marc was keen to convert his 200-cow herd to organic. While technically there wouldn’t be much difference to what he did before, the organic name would be all-important.

I’m very proud of the creamery. Local milk is being used and made into great cheeses…

Two years ago, Marc and Sally took the decision to convert, and this autumn will see the first organic milk leave his farm, arrive in the creamery, and begin its transformation into our specialist organic cheese.

“I was at a cross roads with my business, and decided to go organic because it felt like the right thing to do. We were producing a lot of milk naturally from grass and nearly all the rest of the feed for the cows was being grown on the farm too. Becoming organic seemed to be a balanced, natural way of going forward. Everything is totally traceable which I like - and the cows seem very happy too.?

The change has had its challenges both on a technical and personal front. “I’ve been on a steep learning curve and during the conversion, my wife Sally had twins so we’ve had our hands full with them as well,? he adds.

Alfie and Willem join their nine year old brother Jacob as potential sixth generation Evans farmers.

Marc says it is fantastic news that the Haverfordwest Creamery is now making and selling branded organic cheese.

“I’m very proud of the creamery. Local milk is being used and made into great cheeses that are now directly associated with Pembrokeshire. The creamery is supporting local farms and families and it is excellent to see. I’m delighted with how everything has worked out.?