Rebecca Hesketh
Isle of Wight
Beef, Sheep & Dairy
BEEF, SHEEP & DAIRY, ISLE OF WIGHT: Rebecca and her husband farm on the west of the Isle of Wight, near the Needles landmark. They are tenant farmers, working with their landlord, the National Trust, to farm in a way that conserves the habitat areas surrounding their farm. They farm native breed cows and sheep, harnessing their natural grazing habits to enhance these habitats. The breeds include Sussex cows and Herdwick sheep. Since they took over the farm, they have refocused the farm towards farming for ecological purposes and have been using regenerative techniques, such as mob grazing, herbal leys and bale grazing, to support their conservation grazing aims.
They recently established a micro-dairy, which is a small dairy, milking up to 20 cows. These cows are milked once a day and they are kept with their calves, allowing them to raise them more naturally. They sell the milk directly to their customers through their own shop and through a number of local shops.
Rebecca likes most things outdoors. Her main hobbies are hiking, running and cold-water swimming, she also enjoys mountain biking and the odd surf (when the conditions are right).
Farm diversification
The farm has diversifications, which include an honesty shop selling their own meat and milk, alongside other local produce, plus a function venue. Supplying their local community is incredibly important to them: the beef, lamb and milk they sell through their shop is bought largely by locals and those visiting the area.
Declared interests
Members of the National Farmers Union and the Pasture Fed Livestock Association.