Grate future ahead for Scotland's first buffalo mozzarella and its sustainable production model as crowdfund raises £800,000

Fife Buffalo farmer and star of the BBC’s ‘This Farming Life’, Steve Mitchell, has reached his £800,000 buffalo mozzarella crowdfunding goal, meaning that Scotland will soon taste its first-ever buffalo mozzarella.

Steve’s ambition to provide Scotland with its first-ever home-produced buffalo mozzarella, with sustainability at its heart, started after a visit from Gordon Ramsay and is now going ‘grate’ guns thanks to a fundraising campaign which has raised a total of £800,000 towards the venture. By way of celebration, Steve has just confirmed that farmer and comedian Jim Smith will be taking centre stage at a Buff in the Barn launch party in summer 2020.

In addition to the fulfilment of a dream, Steve is committed to making his business as environmentally sustainable as possible.

Through the planting of hedges and trees, providing habitats for wildlife, making use of land that isn’t suitable for the growing of crops and the ways in which he feeds his livestock, Steve is making a positive contribution towards climate change. He feeds his animals on a grass diet in summer and, in winter, a dry feed diet. There is some scientific evidence to suggest that animals fed on a dryer diet produce less methane and so are better for the environment and so, in fact, eating buffalo meat or cheese may well be more sustainable than eating beef or traditional dairy. The Buffalo Farm is also committed to ensuring that all packaging will be fully recyclable by the end of 2020 and will be installing sustainable energy solutions in the new mozzarella facility.

The ambitious crowdfunding target of £800,000 will now enable Steve to build his manufacturing facility, milking parlour and slurry store and so the buffalo mozzarella dream will now come true!

Despite Steve having hit target, it’s not too late to get involved in the Buffalo Farm Founders Club or to support the crowdfund campaign. Find out more about the Founders Club and Buff in the Barn launch party at https://www.thebuffalofarm.co.uk/buffalo-farm-mozzarella or donate to the crowdfund at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-buffalofarm-making-scottish-buffalo-mozzarella

Speaking of his mozzarella plans, Steve said:

“Producing buffalo mozzarella has been on my list of priorities and dreams for years and I am over the moon that it will now become a reality.

“I am also overwhelmed by the amount of support that we have received. Without those businesses and individuals who have contributed within the Founders Club and crowdfund, we would not be able to take the next step in our journey. The door is still open and the Crowdfunder rewards, in particular, would make ideal Christmas presents so we’d love to have you on board.

“Whilst there are many strings to the buffalo bow, never a day goes by when I don’t think about how I can make sure that my business can make the most positive possible contribution to community and sustainability. I believe that this has helped to encourage people to support my business.

“I give my heartfelt thanks to everybody who has contributed to this success. Whether you donated yourself, encouraged somebody else to or simply shared our news on social media, you have helped to make this dream become a reality.

“Why not book tickets to the Buff in the Barn 2020 party and enjoy a fabulous evening of comedy from Jim Smith, great food, drink and dancing, all they while supporting our new venture?

“Local provenance is becoming increasingly important to many people for political, environmental and taste reasons and I look forward to producing the very best Scottish mozzarella for my customers to enjoy.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• To find out more and to see Steve’s crowdfunding video, visit www.thebuffalofarm.co.uk
• By becoming a member of the Founders Club, you will receive rewards equivalent in value to a 10% Annual Return on Investment, paid annually in arrears and provided to you on account as Buffalo Farm vouchers to spend in our shop, in the Bothy Coffee Shop or to use our private catering services.
• By joining the Buffalo Farm Founders Club, your joining fees are providing us with funding for an initial fixed term of four years. After the initial four-year period, you can choose to redeem the Club membership and receive your money back, or you can hold on to your membership and receive the same rate of interest for the duration of the membership scheme.
• In addition to your rewards, you will also receive a number of fantastic Club Membership benefits, including:

1. You will receive your exclusive Founders Club membership card

2. Your name will be inscribed on the wall of the Buffalo Farm mozzarella production facility as a permanent record of everyone who supported the project

3. You and a guest can enjoy a personal tour of the Buffalo Farm

4. A complimentary pack of mozzarella from the first full production run

5. 20% discount on hiring The Bothy as an events venue - subject to availability

To get involved, simply visit www.thebuffalofarm.co.uk and download the Founders Club information pack and an application form.

• To donate to the Crowdfunder campaign, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-buffalofarm-making-scottish-buffalo-mozzarella
• To find out more about the Buff in the Barn 2020 launch party, visit https://www.thebuffalofarm.co.uk/buffalo-farm-mozzarella

• Press contact: Anna Davies, Scene & Herd PR. anna@sceneandherdpr.co.uk 07775 894012

ENDS