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Guernsey family launch farming YouTube Channel

The Etheridges are recording the origins of Rowan Tree Farm in St Pierre du Bois.

Agriculture is often seen as something from Guernsey's past - the glory days of tomato greenhouses and green-thumbed Guerns.

However, one local family are giving farming a go.

Jack and Becky Etheridge, along with babies Rowan and Jasper, now own a large piece of land in St Pierre du Bois.

Since March this year, they have worked to establish Rowan Tree Farm.

Jack says Guernsey people deserve access to local produce.

"We want to get people eating as locally as they can.

"We’ve joined a bit of a growing revolution, as there are lots of like-minded people who are starting to get into farming.

"We’ve had really great feedback from people because they want to try and support local.

"With food uncertainty both locally and globally, we think this really important."

They've started a YouTube Channel named after the farm to catalogue their journey.

Jack says he wants to give back, having learnt a lot about regenerative agriculture from the video platform.

The met recorded around 50% less rainfall in spring since records began in the 1800s - Jack says this dry spell has hampered his first harvest.

"We’ve not had any decent rain at all, and even though our crops are irrigated, a good dumping of rainwater is always really beneficial.

"Our French beans, peas, and the courgettes would’ve been a bit more bountiful if there had been more rain, although they do like the sun, they’re quite thirsty plants.

"However, the weather has really helped our heat-loving summer crops, such as our tomatoes and peppers. It’s already helping them develop really well and get nice and red."

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