An inspirational example of a small farm business that developed to ensure every possible product from its animals. This fleece was the first organic-certified yarn in the UK.
Tucked away on the north Devon coast is Middle Campscott, a characterful, homely farm of 90 acres that for the past few decades has kept one of the UK’s few flocks of triple purpose sheep. For first generation farmers Lawrence and Karen the strength and viability in their farm is in diversity over intensity of production, providing an inspirational example of a small farm business that developed to ensure every possible product from its animals – milk, fleece, meat and hides – was utilised to create value and viability, and ofer a real one-stop shop at local farmers’ markets.
As well as the British Milk, Friesian and black-fleeced Zwartble breeds used for dairy, the Middle Campscott flock also comprises a colourful team of Shetland sheep. Producing fleece in such an array of colours to make it unmarketable through conventional commercial avenues at the time, this fleece was processed and spun at the Natural Fibre Company, becoming the first organic-certified yarn in the UK.
Hear Lawrence in his own words:
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