About Us

Ainsty Farm Shop is owned and run by Stuart and Lily Beaton, both from generations of farmers and stockmen.

Lily’s family have been farming in the local area since the mid 1800’s.  Her grandfather took on a tenant farm in the village of Askham Richard in 1940, where Lily grew up and her family still farm today.

Lily worked on a pig farm for 2 years and on a farm and ranch in Nebraska for a year, before returning home to the family farm to work.  Because of the decline in farm incomes in the 1990’s, Lily left the family farm and worked at Askham Bryan College until she married Stuart and had children.

Stuart grew up in the world of pedigree stockmen, breeding and showing some of the best cattle in the country.  He learnt the craft from his grandfather and father, his father being the first ever stockman to win the King’s Cup trophy at Smithfield for the best beast bred by the exhibitor twice in succession. 

Stuart had his own flock of sheep from the age of 5 and was also a young sheepdog handler.  Stuart took on a tenant farm in his own right in 1998 and, along with 5 other farmers, began a cooperative to sell their own meat through farmers markets. 

The farmers were all in the old “Ainsty” area, which gave rise to “Ainsty Farms Direct”.

Following the success of the farmers markets, it soon became apparent that there was need for a more permanent outlet.  At this point, four of the original farmers decided to concentrate on farming

The shop grew in popularity whilst the Beaton’s farm was struggling following severe flooding in 2000 and then Foot & Mouth.  Sam had already sold his farm to fund the new shop and Stuart made the difficult decision to give up farming and concentrate solely on Ainsty Farm Shop. New, purpose built premises were opened in October 2005, selling even more of the quality local produce which had made the shop so popular.

Sam retired in September 2007 but is still very active on the local agricultural show committee and as a member of FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group).

Their deep roots in farming mean they are well placed to find the best quality livestock and to ensure good animal husbandry takes place.  When the shop is closed on Mondays, Stuart is out and about on local farms and at livestock markets, checking the quality of the stock and current market prices.  This means Ainsty Farm shop always gives a fair price to the farmer and supplies the best meat to their customers at competitive prices.