‘This is the kind of story our community should share and celebrate’ - Local school boy runs well-stocked farm shop
School boy George Bellingham manages to run a well-stocked farm shop whilst also studying hard for his GCSEs.
The 16-year-old, who is in Year 12 at Dalriada school in Ballymoney, says he is far from phased by his two workloads of school work and running a farm shop.
Operating George’s Farm Shop involves tending to more than 200 hens, sourcing local produce and ‘keeping the costs keen for customers’.
George, who runs the shop from his home at Vow Road in Ballymoney said: ‘‘I had about 10 hens in the back yard about six years ago and I decided to start selling their eggs.
“But I quickly found out I did not have enough eggs at all because we kept selling out.
“So I kept getting more hens and more hens and now I have hundreds – between 200 and 400 – but there is still not enough eggs for the customers.”
George added that as the number of hens he kept grew he “converted two old pig houses into proper hen houses, so I have to collect the eggs in the morning and evening after school”.
“Then about a year ago I bought the wee shed I now have to sell produce on Facebook Marketplace at the right price,” he added.
“So we went to see it and brought it home that weekend. It was just at the right money.”
George operates his farm shop on an honesty basis, given he is out at school during the week.
“I have found that everybody has been very honest so far,” said George.
“I haven’t seen one time I was left short, then my camera would scare them away a bit. I got electric fitted to the shed for a fridge and the camera you see.”
George said he is hoping “to get a job in the Department of Agriculture”.
Mum Andrea Bellingham added: “The Farm Shop was all his own idea, because at the start I thought he was too young.
“He wanted to do it and his father was able to help out on the construction end of things. He has learned a lot about how people charge and over charge through the shop.”
The shop now sells:
- Fresh farm eggs
- Carrots and parsnips
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage
- Local honey
- Jams
- Pastries from The Bakery Room Ballymoney
The egg box is open 24 hours a day, and the shop opens early morning until evening.
Paying tribute to George’s enterprising attitude, DUP Councillor Darryl Wilson said: “This is the kind of story our community should share and celebrate.
“George is just 16 years old, a fifth year pupil at Dalriada School - and he’s already running his own farm shop.
“Raised on a beef cattle farm on Vow Road, George has always had a love for farming.
“In 2022 he started with just 10 hens in the back garden.
“By March 2024, while still in third year at school, he installed a roadside egg honesty box and began selling fresh eggs.
“At first things were slow – but thanks to the support of teachers at Dalriada, neighbours and local farmers, the idea began to grow.”