The changing face of farming with back to the future practices.

Hi everyone,

I think it's refreshing that individual farmers are truing their back on modern methods by diversifying and reconnecting with their community and customers, instead of intense farming by specialising in one product only and being disjointed from their customers and where the buyer can and does dictate the price paid for their goods.

Today a couple in the Lake District explained how they have returned to the farming methods of 50 years ago where they diversify and nothing goes to waste and they have reconnected with their customers.

The farm in question provides single farm yarn which's wool from their rare breed sheep and the meat has now become a by product because of the high demand for the wool.

Very impressively they also use surplus Jersey cows milk to make quality soap and in the first year they hoped to hit a turnover of £3K and it was over £10K and in the second year it reached 40K from farm surplus.

They also have tourist accommodations in an old barn with cold running water and no electricity and this is really popular whereas 30 years ago who would pay to stay in a cold almost primitive stone barn thats off grid so it shows how things are changing as we need break from our frenetic lifestyles.

My neighbour went to NY last year and they were very excited so I said I bet you're looking forward to it and the 5 year old said yes but the trouble is the Wi Fi in the hotel is crap and the 7 year old agreed...

So this back to the future approach sounds great to me.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

This is very interesting. My Nephew is always wanting WIFI when he and his family goes on vacation.

The information about wool from sheep is very useful. Thank you for letting us know!😀👍

[Hidden in reply to Activity2004]

Hey thanks Leah, I thought of you when they said about the interest there was in their one yard wool from those of you who are serious about their knitting. 🐑 🧶 😀

[Activity2004 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that! I appreciate it!😀👍

[Zest]

Hi Hidden

Interesting to hear about the couple's experiences in the Lake District - I bet their soap is lovely.

Zest

[Hidden in reply to Zest]

Hi Zest I thought the same and their biggest market is Japan for their soap, what I really liked was their passion and how they were farming in tune with nature. 😊

[Hidden]

This is so lovely to hear and definitely 'back to the future' as how lovely to escape WiFi whilst away. I'd be more than happy to only be able to use my phone for photos, text messages and phone calls whilst away.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Alicia I thought of you so I checked it out and here's the barn it has gas but no electric:

I think your family would have trouble making you leave LOL its utterly charming. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jerry

Right up my street as the main thing with me is that I can keep clean, eat and sleep, nothing more.

I'm sure I would definitely find it hard leaving, it's so good to get away from the modern day rat run.

Alicia

[Statex]

I worked in agriculture 50 years ago but it was nothing like that. Sounds nice but there are 70 million or so people to feed in this country if the farmers all followed such practices we would all starve on wool and soap.

No one wants woolen products these days that is why the farmer only receives between £1 and £ 1.50 for a fleece.