Carmarthen couple swap city life for wellington boots

007 Rhosyn Farm - Neil and Emma RoseTucked away in the Carmarthenshire countryside you will find Rhosyn farm - home of Emma and Neil Rose, who in 2006 swapped the city life to run a self-sufficient smallholding.

Living the dream of running a smallholding, Emma and Neil have never looked back and are now renowned for their excellent pork, sausages and bacon.

The couple were delighted to be asked to become an Ambassador for Welsh Porc in 2015 to promote quality local produce.

They take pride in breeding their own stock, outdoor rearing in the most idyllic surroundings and giving their animals the best quality of care and attention during their time on the farm.

Focusing on rare and native breeds, the couple keep Herdwick Sheep, Gloucester Old Spot Pigs and Golden Guernsey Goats.

Emma, who is Chairman of the Golden Guernsey Goat Society, has focused her effort on preserving the remaining bloodlines, collecting and rehoming the different strains of males from all over the country including Scotland, Northumberland and Norfolk.

These males are taken to Innovis for Semen collection as well as used for stud.

Emma and Neil have managed to also breed two breed champion Goats, with one of their bucklings winning best in Show in Devon.

Both Emma and Neil have taken to farming like a duck to water but neither come from a farming background.

Neil, a qualified Aircraft Engineer and Emma a Programme Manager gave up the stresses of city life with only a few lesson in agriculture gained at night school for Neil.005 Rhosyn Farm - Neil and Emma Rose

Emma still works part time for Cosan Consulting to help fund their dreams, including the recent development of an onsite processing unit.

Whilst they both agree they work more hours than they ever did in their previous lives to running a farm, a butchery and catering outfit, which doesn’t leave much time for sleep, they wouldn’t change a thing.

Farming pockets of land covering approximately 100 acres, they use both the Gloucester Old Spots and Herdwicks for clearing the rough ground before returning to pasture, which certainly adds to the taste of the meat that Rhosyn produce.

The meat, which is taken for slaughter in Tregaron, is then butchered by Emma and Neil at their on-site processing unit.

Speaking about the new processing unit Emma says: “This is all very new and has been our ten year dream. We used to use the food centre at Horeb and they have been great, we could not have come this far without them.

“However, with the food centre only being open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, it was a bit restrictive. Now we can process our meat anytime and it gives us much greater flexibility.”

Talking about their pigs, Emma says: “Our Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs are free to explore their surroundings, something which I believe is key to their great taste.

“Thanks to grazing on a wide variety of nutrients and minerals from the soil, our pigs produce stronger flavours and tastier produce.

“This Gloucestershire Old Spot breed is special to us as it delivers as a dual purpose pig, both wonderful bacon and pork, but it is also one of our native breeds; one which I am keen to support and protect.

“I am passionate about being able to give each pig the care and attention it needs, and believe this is essential for producing less-stressed, tastier pork.

“Here at Rhosyn Farm, we aim to give all of our pigs the most natural environment possible. Our sows receive long resting periods throughout the year, and our piglets are encouraged to wean naturally,” she adds.

Locally, Rhosyn is most famous for its award winning sausages that come in a variety of flavours.

FUW Emma and NeilIn 2014 they were awarded third place at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show annual sausage competition and climbed up the award ladder to first place in 2015 for their Cracked Black Pepper Sausages.

The same year their Beef burgers took second place and the Sweet Dry Cured Bacon was also recognised with a first prize.

Rhosyn can be found three days a week on the regular market in Carmarthen selling their fresh produce both raw to take away and cook at home or cooked on the grill for onsite consumption.

Emma, who travels around Wales supporting various food festivals, mud runs, dog shows and music festivals, said: “Moving my life from the city to the Welsh countryside has allowed me to truly appreciate all the benefits that Wales’ natural surroundings have to offer.

“Thanks to cleaner air and healthier conditions, I believes that pork from Wales is unique in flavour; our award-winning produce is proof of this.

“Supporting local produce gives us the opportunity to understand our food’s true origins. Demand for local produce has shaped our landscape in Wales for generations, and I hope this will continue for years to come.”

Their philosophy is to make the most of what they rear for breeding or meat as possible. Goats milk soap and goat skin rugs have proven to be very popular, and this year they intend to start to sell Herdwick Wool. Pigs ears are even available if you want to treat your dog!

Farmers’ Union of Wales County Executive Officer David Waters, said: “The climate and landscape in Wales provide a natural environment to produce quality pork and Emma and Neil are a wonderful example of how exactly that is done. Their energy and enthusiasm for their produce is inspiring.

“Our Welsh farmers often adapt their farming methods according to the time of year, giving their pigs the exact care that they need in every season. You can’t help but notice that even before cooking, the difference in quality is clear.

“Many traditional, Welsh farms - like Rhosyn farm - often have shorter supply chains, which helps to support local businesses, and is better for the environment.

“The FUW has long been campaigning for people to ‘Buy the Welsh One’ and keep food miles down and I urge all food providers to follow the example already adopted by many of our FUW members who have developed food businesses with short supply chains and transparent traceability from farm to fork.FUW Emma and Neil 2

“There are a growing number of farm-produced quality products now available at farmers’ markets, corner shops, on the internet and even at some supermarkets.

“Sadly, the consumer may have to search painstakingly for such products in supermarkets but there is a growing awareness amongst retailers that they are morally bound to offer local products. And of course there is an increasing awareness from consumers to check labels and check where their food has come from.

“With the United Nations projecting a global population of more than nine billion by 2050, increasing food chain efficiency will become ever more essential.

“Producers and consumers must be part of a food chain that feeds the world, provides fair prices to farmers and works in harmony with the environment.

“And why would you not want to support local food producers like Emma and Neil. If you want to get your taste buds going then you must simply try their goat curry and billy burgers and of course their sausages and bacon.”

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