The event organisation is being facilitated by a small team of staff from South West Norse and Devon County Council.
Bev Brown – Farmwise Events Manager
Bev says:
“This is a very exciting role for me that is close to my heart, being a hill farmers daughter, born and raised on a Dartmoor hill farm in the National Park. I did leave the hills for the bright lights of London to work for a shipping company as an accountant.
After having our children, I wanted to return to the hills of Dartmoor for them to have the freedom I did as a child and grow up around the farm. My two brothers now run the family farm and where my husband worked for 8 years. My children and I love helping on the farm. We felt very blessed that lock down for us was magical homeschooling/farm schooling, helping with lambing, shearing, and gathering the sheep off the high moors (the best part). My girls are pony mad and my son plays junior rugby so that keeps me busy.
In my spare time, I am a scout leader and a trustee for the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony within this charity I help to run the Hill Pony display team. Working with a team of children promoting the wonderful ponies on Dartmoor.
I mountain bike 50 miles per week on the cycle routes of west Dartmoor to keep fit and mentally well. Before I took on this role I was working as a school cook, I started in my children’s school because their school cook left after 30 years (she used to cook my school dinners). For the last 5 years I have run the cattle market open day at goose fair in Tavistock, promoting farming, the countryside, and local and rural businesses.”
Deborah Custance Baker – Chairman of Farm Wise Devon
Deborah has a wide-ranging involvement with the agricultural community – including as a pig farmer and Devon Agricultural Association Director.
She is passionate about involving and educating the young in all matters agricultural and food-related. Her involvement in youth work has ranged from working with schools to being a pony club organiser. She generates enthusiasm in everything she is involved with and Deborah will be a great Farmwise Chairman.