Rectory Farm is owned by the Berry family.  Edward Berry took over the running of the dairy and sheep farm when his Dad passed away in 2017.  Edward was only 23 years old and has been supported by his Mum, Samantha, and a network of farming friends to maintain and build the dairy herd.  Before Edward's Dad, David, died they made the decision to change from a conventional milking parlour to a robotic 'on demand' milking system manufactured by Lely  Since 2017 Edward has learned alot more about farming and himself, expanded the milking herd and added a 3rd robot. Edward's brother, Oliver, is not a farmer but also lives in Yorkshire and provides support and advice - and does what good brothers do.

Edward's cows are able to graze free range on the fields around the farm during the summer months and will be in the fresh air for more than 155 days each year.  Edward sells the majority of his milk to Lancashire Farm Dairies.  They are a family run business who are supportive of their dairy farmers and produce excellent yogurt and other dairy products.  The Lancashire Farm Dairies tanker comes each day to collect around 3000 litres of raw unpasteurised milk.

Edward now lives with his partner Charlotte and their 1 year old daughter.  Charlotte was trained and worked as a nursery nurse before she had her baby, but as a new Mum wanted to support Edward and be on the farm.  Together, they wanted a new venture based on the farm to provide an additional income to keep Charlotte working on the farm.   The idea of selling milk and dairy products direct from a farm is not new. However, they realised that there was nothing like it around Skipton and Barnoldswick.   So the idea of a milk and milk shake vending business based on the farm in Thornton-in-Craven was born.

Charlotte and Edward have invested in a small pasteurising and processing unit with the support of Charles Wait and his knowledge and understanding of the milk processing business.  Charles has been their 'Dairy Godfather'!  They wanted to produce a safe and delicious product that reflected the amazing cows and countryside.  The vending equipment is supplied by Daisy Vending who are a Somerset based company who have provided advice and support through the business development process.

Rectory Farm Milk Shack shall be starting by selling pasteurised whole milk and milk shakes direct to the public through  vending machines.  The milk processing equipment would support the production of other dairy products in the future.......but one step at a time!