Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker – Meet the farmers
Category: Press PackOur Dream Farm with Matt Baker follows The National Trust as it searches for a new tenant of a 600-acre dream farm in the spectacular Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales.
Along with fields, woodland and mountain pasture the farm comes with a beautiful four-bedroom farmhouse, holiday letting accommodation, views of Wales’ highest mountain, Yr Wyddfa, and access to a spectacular lake.
To select the new tenant, seven applicants have been shortlisted to live and work on the farm for three weeks. They’ll take part in a series of tasks designed so they can prove their skills with livestock, passion for conservation and ability to run a successful business if they are chosen to take on the tenancy.
Throughout, the applicants will be monitored by Eryri General Manager, Trystan Edwards and Giles Hunt, the Land and Estates Director for all of the National Trust. Those who impress will be offered the chance to become temporary farm managers - taking responsibility for the livestock and living in the farmhouse.
They’ll also choose which applicants should leave the process, one by one, until just two are left, and are invited to attend a final meeting with Giles and Trystan. Only the winner will be offered the truly life changing 15-year tenancy of this incredible farm.
Competing to be the next tenants of Eryri are:
Ryan and Lowri
From Conway
Ryan and Lowri are the most local of the shortlisted applicants to the farm, living just twenty miles away. Husband and wife, with two young children, they hope the tenancy will be a chance to combine Ryan’s passion for hill farming, with Lowri’s desire to welcome tourists to the farm. Ryan is a first generation farmer, but has built up his livestock throughout his career and hopes to bring them to the farm.
Greg
From Cheshire
Originally from Liverpool, Greg is a former deep-sea diver who now lives in Cheshire with his wife and two young children. He now works full time in farming, raising sheep, pigs and a lot of chickens! His passion for poultry started when a neighbour gave them two chickens, which were a big hit with his kids. Alongside producing food, Greg also runs workshops for neurodiverse children to visit the farm.
Liberty
From Gloucestershire
Liberty works for a luxury travel company, has launched her own skincare products and in recent years has started working in farming. Her passion is for agroecological farming which takes a sustainable approach, producing food in harmony with nature. Alongside farming, if she takes on the tenancy, she hopes to run educational retreats and workshops at the farm.
Sara & Ioan
From Ceredigion & Gwynedd
Sara, who works for a sheep breeding company, and Ioan, a plumber, are both from farming backgrounds. Both passionate about Welsh hill farming, Ioan is also a skilled sheep shearer and dry stone waller. This tenancy would be a chance to raise their own livestock and be their first home together as currently they live about 70 miles apart.
George
From Essex
George is builder and project manager from Essex who hopes to take on the tenancy with his wife Laura so, along with their two children they can enjoy life farming in Eryri. Although he doesn’t have a lot of farming experience yet, he’s been learning all he can in the run up to the selection process and hopes to develop his skills further if he takes on the farm. George is also an endurance runner and if successful, plans to encourage others to take part in running events in the area.
Will and Emma
From Rhondda Cynon Taf
18-year-old young farmer Will and his mum Emma hope to take on the farm tenancy along with the rest of their family so Will can fulfil his dream of becoming a full-time farmer. Alongside college and working in a fast-food restaurant Will looks after sheep and pigs on rented land, while Emma works as a dog groomer and walker.
Abbie and Lloyd
From Buckinghamshire & Powys
Young farmer Lloyd and his partner marine biologist Abbie met at university. Since then, Lloyd, who also works part-time as an undertaker, has shared his passion for farming with Abbie, who helps out on his family farm. They hope that together with Abbie’s conservation background, they’ll be a good fit for the tenancy.
Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker premieres on Channel 4 Saturday 15 March at 19:00, and on catch-up at Channel4.com.
