From a small start we have achieved a lot

When we first arrived most of the tracks and paths were covered over. It took the two Rangers 3 or 4 months to scrub clear their way through them. Since then, as of Nov 2006, we have put in about 20 miles of fencing, about three miles of repaired stone walling, and long stretches of hedge rows and Devon banks. (A Devon bank is typically an earth bank a meter wide, a meter high, planted on the top with a hedge and often stone faced on both sides. A person can do about a meter a day. We cheat by using Dump trucks or dump trailers and mechanical diggers, even so it still takes a long time to get it right. For example, the earth bank should be left fro a couple of years to settle before you cut it to shape and stone face it.)

After two years we then got the sheep, then the Angus cattle, then the chickens, then Ruby Red Cattle. Meanwhile we had learned how to harvest silage, hay and haylage. Then we had a go at ploughing and arable crops, such as oats and barley. Last year we turned the crop into crimp - which is where it is crushed and sort of pickled with a mild orange acid - after two months the cattle and sheep just love it.

Our herds have grown, and we have been successful selling bulls and other pedigree stock. The meat side of the business has done well - winning Gold and Silver awards from the Taste of the West. Our show animals are getting closer and closer to a first prize, winning two seconds at the last show in Bristol Nov 2006

The sheep have done very well also. We are now seen as a major breeder of rare breed sheep, supplying many starter flocks. At the Devon County show we got supreme champion and reserve in the rare breed primitive class. And they taste great - supplying both end-consumers and gourmet restaurants alike.

We have cleared the hurdle of the RPA mapping and Organic conversion forms, and now the farm is certified organic with the Soil association.