That can tame of ‘Black Dog’

I’m an old Goth so everything I have is black and I get called the Black Sheep of the family!”

Sustainable agriculture is at the heart of everything they do and while animals are bred to be eaten, no compromise is made on their welfare and happiness.

Farmers with rare breeds like Nina and Phil help the environment as they keep smaller numbers of animals and the methods they follow go back thousands of years.

Says Nina: “Larger farms have sprawling fields filled with sheep but as we have fewer animals and native breeds, they manage the land in a more traditional way.

“In our fields, we have more hedgerows and because the sheep continually nibble at them, they’re creating a habitat for wildlife.

“Keeping native breeds is good for climate change and the environment as they fertilise the ground properly and aren’t filling the air with dangerous gases. chance to grow naturally. I take each animal to the abattoir and I know each one, their mum, their grandmother.

“I stay with each one until it’s their turn to go in. It’s like closing a chapter. Every one that goes, they’re helping feed the rest of the flock for that winter.

“It’s helping to save generations to come.” Nina and Phil also ensure that nothing is wasted. The meat is sold locally with each package carrying the name of the animal it came from, and wool is distributed all over the world.

Each sheep is hand sheared and Nina recently appeared on BBC’S Countryfile – some of the fleece is turned into laundry dryer balls by boutique local company Little Beau Sheep with the Hebridean’s coat working as a natural fabric softener.

Even the skulls are used for projects for local artists and horns are turned into walking sticks.

Nina says she hopes to inspire other farmers to consider rare breeds and to raise awareness of the many other benefits the sheep bring.

She says: “They have no concept of who you are, what baggage you have, what time it is... they seem to be able to pass that calmness on to people.

“People go from rushing around to being in a field with lovely soft lambs nuzzling up to them.

“It’s like going back to being a child, taking away the stress of modern society. They feel so peaceful and enjoy having some quiet time in nature.

“When I tell people I have a flock of 80 sheep and rare breed pigs they look at me like I’m mad. I don’t look like a typical farmer but I wouldn’t swap my life for anything. I can’t imagine life without my sheep.”

● Find out more about Nina and Phil’s work at crowkeld.co.uk