The Village Farm Family
Susie & Robert - Farmers & Owners
“Our only transferable skill is farming” they say as the reason why they bought Village Farm following 40 years in Africa. Perhaps a little dramatic change from cattle ranching & developing organic farming initiatives with growers & smallholders, Susie & Robert find organic livestock farming in Devon is more than life changing. It is truly a privilege to live amongst this special community & within this beautiful landscape. Developing the farm & setting up the Artisan centre has been one of the greatest joys of our lives, entirely due to the amazing people who have made it happen, some of whom have become the Village Farm family. We hope that village farm continues to evolve as a resource & inspiration for the community & visitors who come this way.
John Taylor & Charlotte Hodgson - Village Farm Cafe & Farm shop
The Village Farm Artisan Centre Cafe & Shop has grown from Aspiration to destination with the collective vision of a very experienced & dedicated team. Both John & Charlotte take hospitality very seriously indeed. They like to look after people, take an interest in them & make them feel truly welcome. John & his family are small holders & as a result the eggs, pork & lamb served & sold are almost alway from our own animals. The coffee we serve is organic & we make our own bread every day. An array of organic veg, our own meat & other basics can be purchased in our little shop.
John is on a quest to incorporate regenerative methods into his small holding activities & hopes to share some of this learning at Village Farm through our walks & events. John is also passionate about sustainable travel solutions & as a result offers ebikes to hire on which you can explore this beautiful peninsula. Bikes can be booked through this website.
Cathryn Grace - Floral Design Studio
A love of nature & a keen appreciation of beauty has led Cathryn Grace to create the unique floral art forms that set her work apart from mainstream floristry. She has developed her collections using predominantly seasonal British flowers, & only natural, sustainable materials are used. The fragrant presence of Cathryn’s studio greets you as you enter the Artisan Centre. Cathryn provides floral designs to your personal requirements & can adorn all types of events & special occasions. She also offers courses & personal tuition by appointment. For more information on the services Cathryn offers please visit https://www.cathryngrace.com/
Moira Laidlaw - Intune Holistic Therapies
Moira practices a range of holistic therapies in her studio haven upstairs in the Village Farm Artisan Centre. Moira gentle manner is as calming & reassuring as her healing ability is extraordinary. Over the years of her practice, she has mastered profound techniques, blending her own contemporary form with the ancient remedial healing arts. Moira sees & treats you as a whole person. Drop in appointments are available if Moira is here, or call to book. Head upstairs & if the door is open, pop in for a chat https://www.intuneholistictherapies.co.uk/
Naomi Vincent - Naturemake
Naomi constantly amazes us with her artistic ideas & capacities. Naturemake is the creation of Naomi Vincent, a visual artist & sculptor. She has inspired & influenced many children with her fun & inspirational art workshops which she regularly brings into Devon schools. Come & join us at the Naturemake studio at the Artisan Center, Village Farm & create a miniature, magical world from nature. Naiomi sells her beautiful craft kits & runs memorable, inspirational sessions & workshops for adults & children. Drop-in, or book ahead. Sessions are available during school holidays, weekends year-round. Private Naturemake parties & events are also available. If you’re at Village Farm, visit the wonderful upstairs workshop of Naturemakes & see for yourself. https://naturemake.co.uk/
Don Rigby - Form & Function Timberworking
Don is a design wizard. He’s a timber frame specialist & the brains behind the layout & look of the Artisan Centre, Village Farm (although he will never boast about it!). He is ever cheerful, with a ready humour & time for everyone, yet always in demand, busy creating new, exciting projects from small to giant in locally, sustainably sourced hardwoods across Devon & beyond. Being next door, he’s always one of the first in for a fresh sourdough in the morning & you can find him with a pencil behind the ear & in a tank top in most weathers. https://www.fftimberworking.com/
John McShae - Boatbuilding & Woodwork
John Mcshea (‘Johnny’) is the resident boatbuilder here at Village Farm. His immense skill & expertise in building boats to an exquisite standard is world class. Known mostly for his new builds & restorations of historical boats, Johnny is a sensitive, deeply modest man of rare talent. Self-described as a ‘distracted boat builder’, you can often find Johnny producing sculptures & other bespoke work. Visitors are encouraged to come & see Johnny’s wonderful projects at the workshop at Village Farm. https://johnmcshea.co.uk/
Tom O'Connor - Green Man Growing
Certainly a man of many parts, and more than a producer of vegetables, Tom brings a rare set of skills and expertise from working with organic and regenerative farms across the UK – including Sandy Lane Farm, Oxford, Shillingford Organics, Exeter, and for Riverford – after 2 years growing on Vancouver Island, Canada.
Tom’s level 4 diploma in Regenerative Land-Based Systems from the Apricot Centre, Dartington, his work as with the Soil Association Exchange as a Technician, and background in education bring additional skills of benefit to all those who come to and work with Village Farm. We wait to see how he evolves his vegetable magic at his Green Man Growing regenerative market garden!
https://www.instagram.com/green_man_growing/
https://www.greenmangrowing.org
