A FIRST generation farmer welcomed around 1,000 visitors to her new base in Lockerley in less than a year.

Emma Hunt, 35, took over Hampshire County Council’s Annart Farm in Carters Clay Road in April after her Dandys Ford Dairy outgrew its previous home in East Wellow.

The micro dairy is different to most with Emma opting to keep the 15 cows with their calves and sharing the milk.

Just a few months after moving onto the county council-owned starter farm, Emma held two booked-out Open Farm Sunday events in addition to inviting local youth groups and students to learn about the animals.

READ MORE: Hampshire country starter farm taken over by first generation farmer

The farm is also fulfilling plans of opening a small farm shop and offering meat as well as the Guernsey cow milk.

Emma, who juggles farming life with looking after her three-year-old child, said: “It’s going really well on the farm. I’m most comfortable when I’m in my wellies.

“I was really surprised that so many people were interested and wanted to come and see the farm. It’s so lovely to get people excited about farming and where their produce is coming from. Our welfare standards are so much higher than in other countries. I’m really passionate about people buying British.

“We opened on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer for ice creams and milkshakes. People could sit and watch the animals. The plan is to carry on with that this year during the holidays and at the weekends. We will have pork, beef and lamb available later this year too.

SEE ALSO: Controversial Traveller site permitted despite residents' threat of legal action

Speaking on how she first got involved in the industry, Emma said: “I decided I had an interest in farming so I joined Romsey Young Farmers and it sort snowballed from there. I took a job on a large dairy farm which I really enjoyed but I didn’t like the modern methods and that’s why I chose to keep the new calves with the cows.

“Milk prices are driven down by the process and supermarkets so to produce at these prices you have to be very efficient and that’s why farmers don’t tend to keep the cows with their calves. I’m hoping it will eventually be a viable business for me. It’s been hard to set up from scratch.

“I found it really difficult to get into agriculture. Hampshire County Council farms are so vital for helping people into the industry.”

Emma employs some part-time staff at Dandys Ford Dairy as well as inviting students from Sparsholt College to come and help.

The business sells around 300 litres of milk a week to Romsey and surrounding areas including butchers and shops like 108 The Bakery.