Debbie Kingsley talks to a couple who keep whitebred shorthorns at their farm in cumbria.
John Atkinson and Maria Benjamin live and farm on the stunning southern edge of Coniston Water in Cumbria.
John
John says: “I come from a farming background so I have always farmed from a small child. My family have farmed Nibthwaite Grange Farm for six generations. It was a tenanted farm until 1981 when it came up for sale and my dad managed to get the money together to buy it. He then took on full-time work to pay the mortgage and I took over running the farm at 21 with my brother.
“I was at agricultural college, then worked on a large dairy farm at the same time as running the family farm, so I had gained a lot of experience to bring to our business. I took on a job with the National Trust when the financial demands of a family came into play, working in various roles for the trust, from footpath work to lead ranger for 25 years.
“I left the trust three years ago due to ill health and have thoroughly enjoyed working full-time on the farm. When I took over, it was a traditional mixed farm with dairy, sheep and pigs and was around 60 acres. Over the years I have taken on more and more land and increased the number of livestock we run. We want to farm in such a way that inputs are minimal, so look to traditional native breeds that are hardy and good at living on poor ground. Much of the land we graze isn’t even deemed agricultural land! We want to farm with nature and not against it.”
Maria
Maria is very new to farming, coming from a fine art background. “I got together with John three years ago and now spend almost all of my time on the farm with him. I love working with animals and the planning and development of the farm and the expansion of the business. I think we’re a great combination as I have completely different skills that complement John’s.
This story is from the March 2017 edition of Country Smallholding.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2017 edition of Country Smallholding.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Secret World Of The Honey Bee
Who knew that honey bees are the best builders? Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development reveals how they build their parallel wax combs with extraordinary accuracy
Tip the light fantastic
The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers
The legacy of The Good Life
The Good Life captured the public’s imagination when it first aired in 1975. On Country Smallholding’s 45th birthday, Jeremy Hobson looks at this and other programmes with a self-sufficiency slant that have captivated urban and rural dwellers alike over nearly half a century
‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'
A tree Armageddon frightens poultry diarist Julian Hammer’s flock and leaves him with a mammoth clear-up job
Tools of the trade
In the second part of his mini-series on tools that are useful around the holding, Kevin Alviti takes an in-depth look at the iconic scythe, a thistle paddle and forks that were once virtually indispensable to small-scale farmers
The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world
Adam Henson waxes lyrical about the Texel, which boasts such a stocky body that it resembles a box of muscle on four legs
Buying on a tight budget
As demand for smallholdings increases and prices continue to rise, is there a way to achieve your dream without forking out a fortune? In the first part of a new mini-series, Liz Shankland explores the possibilities
Crazy for crafts
In an ordinary back garden and single paddock near Kidderminster, Kay Dalloway has created both a thriving smallholding and a successful fibre business — all while working full time for the NHS. Helen Babbs drops by to find out about her ventures
Game on
A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman
1975 And All That
Country Smallholding is 45 this month. To celebrate, Jeremy Hobson takes a look at some of the changes — both good and bad — to small-scale farming over that near half-century
