Provider Profile
(An outline of the opportunity being provided)
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Start to Farm Reference Number: 104
THE OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a joint venture farmer to join us in building Llwyngoras into a biodynamic, biodiverse agroecological farm which is productive, economically viable and beautiful.
A permaculture approach has been taken to develop a business plan which shows the profitable development of the farm over 5 years. The plan below shows the distribution of planned enterprises across the farm.
With the right partner we can build on this plan together to create a rewarding venture guided but not limited by the existing business plan.
The farm is 90 acres – roughly one third of which is woodland, one third agroforestry and arable and one third pasture in management to become wild flower meadow and wood pasture.
On two fields, we have already established an agroforestry system of about 250 fruit trees chosen for flavour, planted in lanes along the contours, together with native crab apples and alders to support fertility and pollination. On these fields we aim to produce high-quality fruit, eggs from pastured chickens, and herbs – some of which will be processed on the farm into value-added products. There are two large fields to the north-west which have been used to grow forage crops and silage, but which might be used to grow either small-scale grains, wildflower seed or for other uses.
The four pastures to the south-east of the farm are in management to reduce fertility but may eventually be grazed by traditional Hereford cattle in a pattern of conservation grazing which will encourage the development of wild flower meadows and wood pasture.
The farm has a variety of fencing - some good and renewed and some in need of repair or renewal. There is a water supply to all fields fed from a borehole.
35 acres of semi-natural ancient woodland run along the southern boundary of the farm. In good time we are considering working with a green woodworker to manage the woodlands and produce products from the many hedges and copses.
5 further outbuildings await restoration, and may become sites for further farm enterprises.
The land is already registered organic and next year will be registered biodynamic.
Techniques such as collecting, nurturing and applying indigenous micro-organisms, making Johnson-Su compost, bokashi and compost teas will be used to supplement the biodynamic preparations to gradually re-wild our soil.
In addition to the agricultural and food processing plan an ecologist from the Initiative For Nature Conservation will write an ecology management plan to tie into and complement the productive plans for the farm. This will be done in the spring of 2024.
ABOUT US
We are Jamie and Jessica Seaton and we’ve worked together all our adult lives. We have founded and run two successful clothing companies - J&J Seaton, a knitwear company which sold intricate, hand knitted sweaters to specialist fashion shops worldwide and Toast, a heart-led homewear and clothing company.
We bought Llwyngoras in 2019 and spent our first 3 years here restoring the historic farmhouse and some of the several outbuildings, at the same time observing and working on the land, developing our plans accordingly. We are not farmers, but have always lived close to the land. We have wide experience of business, marketing and design.
In 2016 Jessica wrote a cookery book called Gather Cook Feast which had as its theme food and landscape - how we get a sense of time and place through what we eat. Jamie took time to study and write poetry for an MA at Royal Holloway
THE LOCAL AREA
Llwyngoras is situated in North Pembrokeshire just outside the village of Nevern. Across the road is Awen Organics https://www.awenorganics.co.uk/ and just across the river is @Nevernvalleyveg - these are two examples of the flourishing community of creative growers and makers who have been drawn to this area because of its natural beauty and active community.
The local town, Newport, is a thriving local centre with a Monday market, a library, a good range of local shops and many events posted on the telegraph poles through the town.
The neighbouring town of Cardigan has a lively creative scene, including the Other Voices festival, a theatre, a cinema, bakers and Glebelands, an organic market garden.
Llwyngoras is situated in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and we are supported in our biodiversity objectives by the Park’s conservation officers and those at the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales. The sea and the coastline of cliffs and rocky bays are two miles away. There are ancient temperate rain forests at Pen Gelli and Ty Canol nearby, to which Coed Llwyngoras – our woods – is directly connected.
THE RIGHT PARTNER & THE AGREEMENT
We’re looking for someone who shares – and is excited by – the vision for the farm, whose company we enjoy and whose approach we respect.
The right person will be committed to farming agroecologically and will want to treat the whole farm and its equipment and creatures with care; will be strong and energetic, but not rash or ill-considered. Ideal experience will be in horticulture and animal husbandry and perhaps with an interest in arable crops. As a quick learner length of experience is perhaps less important than an overall commitment and enthusiasm, but you should be able to show experience within a number of different agroecological systems. The ability to design & build effective structures such as a chicken tractor or a bokashi bin using low-carbon materials will be important. Experience in biodynamic systems would be wonderful.
The agreement will be a share farming agreement whereby each party agrees to share responsibility for the farm business. The farmer will propose a yearly plan – respecting the spirit of the business plan – for discussion, possible adaptation and agreement between us. Periodic meetings will keep us on track. Profits will be distributed according to the agreement taking into account the inputs each party makes, and assuring sensible remuneration for the farmer. This provides an opportunity for the farmer to have selfdetermination and business-ownership, while benefitting from the land, equipment, experience and general support we can provide. In Wales we have a scheme called Start to Farm which is designed to help with the set up of these legal agreements.
If needed, simple and decent caravan accommodation on the farm could be provided.