About me

I’m Dawn and I grew up on a farm, but for the last 25 years I’ve been working as a project manager within government, delivering everything from software and hardware projects to major business change programmes. I have led a variety of delivery teams and managed multi-million pound programmes – it’s been a career full of variety, challenge, and plenty of lessons — including experiencing both the very best and the very worst of team‑building days!

Eventually I realised that farming is where my heart is (although I do quite like a spreadsheet). Now I’m lucky enough to have the best of both worlds: spending my days outdoors with my animals, while also welcoming groups of people and helping to facilitate people reconnecting with nature and the outdoors. I’m a people person and love creating experiences that feel relaxed, fun and memorable.

Despite not actually having pigs on the farm where I grew up, I’ve been keeping Kunekune pigs for 18 years. More recently I’ve added sheep to the mix for a little extra ‘enjoyment’ as well as ducks, geese, chickens, and two turkeys. I also have three children who are most definitely “free range”. I should also at this stage mention my long suffering husband, Joe, who is often on hand to make a cup of tea or slice a piece of cake. I think he still wonders how he has ended up involved in a smallholding when what he’d really like is a nice quite weekend having a lie-in and reading the paper.

I am proudly a member of the British Kunekune Pig Society, and act as Registrar for the society. We promote and champion the Kunekune breed in the UK, supporting the health, care and breeding of pedigree Kunekune pigs.