A YOUNG farmer who is taking his first steps into the industry will feature on a new series of radio programmes.

The BBC will be following 20-year-old Gareth Barlow for the next year to see how his passion develops into farming reality.

Gareth, who lives in Bulmer, bought his first six Herbridean ewes and a ram called Hadrian when he was just 16, after saving his own money.

The sheep proved to be the catalyst to Gareth’s ambition to farm and run his own business and over the next three years he developed his flock into the current 21 animals.

“Hebridean Sheep are very hardy, forging almost anything to produce a premium meat that delivers a rich gamey flavour with a lower fat content than traditional breeds, so it is considered to be not only tasty but healthier and easier to cook,” Gareth said.

A former pupil of St Peter’s School in York, Gareth went to Durham University to read biology but left after his first year to follow is dream to develop his own sheep flock and farming business.

“Things are slowly moving along but I could not have got this far without the support of my family, the Fosters at Grange Farm in Bulmer and other locals who have helped with grazing.

“Now I am trying to move the business to the next level by increasing my flock and providing additional grazing land.”

Gareth currently funds his business through working at Castle Howard farm shop as a part-time trainee butcher and by working for local farmers.

He hopes that through the BBC programmes he will find people to mentor him with his plans, especially local farmers and rare breed sheep champions. Gareth is also looking for partnerships with businesses as funding equipment and transport is key to the success of his business plan.

Gareth is one of seven people trying to get into farming who will feature on the BBC Radio Four programme’s On Your Farm and Farming Today.

Producer Martin Poyntz-Roberts said: “Gareth has set himself on a very difficult business road trying to start his own farming business from scratch, with no farming background, no land and little equipment.

“Having met Gareth I am very impressed with his knowledge and business planning. It’s going to be an eventful year following Gareth’s development and journey to becoming a farmer, but he’s passionate, focuses and above all determined to succeed.”

Gareth’s story will be featured this Sunday followed by more radio and television programmes over the coming year.