Peter is joined by Phil Heard from Dartmoor and Mark Rees from west Devon to hear about how they have diversified their farm businesses.
In this episode host Peter Green is joined by sheep and beef farmer Phil Heard and sheep farmer Mark Rees to hear about how they have diversified their businesses. Phil farms on Dartmoor and has diversified into cattle driving holidays. Mark farms Gotland sheep and has diversified into gin making. In this episode we hear the ins and outs of their stories and how they have got to where they are today.
Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming.
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Timestamps
00:01 Cornish Mutual jingle
00:14 Peter Green introduces the show.
00:56 Phil introduces himself and his farming business.
02:28 Using horses to round up cattle and sheep.
03:28 How long has Phil's family been on Dartmoor?
05:34 Introducing the cattle driving diversification.
08:10 Growth of the business.
10:00 The diversification business alongside the farming business.
12:08 Mark Rees comes in and tells his story.
14:38 How did Mark start?
17:17 The importance of passion in diversification.
19:40 Creating the first batches of gin.
21:06 Challenges of diversification.
24:00 Employment, people and balancing time.
26:15 Advice to others looking to diversify.
27:48 Showstoppers.
30:21 Peter rounds up.