Most young kids aspire to be doctors, firefighters, policemen, or superheroes. But Joe Trofer-Cook, an 11-year-old, found his passion at the tender age of seven — farming. Since then, Joe has never looked back and has won the hearts of many as an expert farmer and astute visionary.
Joe’s interest in farming started in 2019 after his granddad Pete Cook, 74, built a simple raised garden bed for his seventh birthday. He hails from Billinghay in Lincolnshire, England, and when COVID hit, he began selling fresh homegrown produce on a trolley outside their house.
“Neighbours came regularly to buy his produce which was local and homegrown. I think people found it safer than going to the shops during COVID,” says Clare Trofer, his mother.
From the proceeds, the young farmer bought three chickens. Adding eggs to the products he sold, Joe says he saved “every penny” to buy his first four ewes he named Rhubarb, Pumpkin, Radish, and Strawberry.
Overcoming learning challenges
Farmer Joe, as he’s now known, has been a guest on BBC’s Countryfile and Channel 5’s Springtime on the Farm. He may be famous now, but his mother says Joe has always been shy, and he’s also had to overcome learning difficulties.
During the COVID pandemic, Joe was diagnosed with autism, dyslexia, memory problems, and severe anxiety. “He never asked to have friends over after school; all he wants to do is go straight to his animals,” Clare says.
Joe’s farm is his haven, and his animals are therapeutic. Clare says that his son’s love for his animals makes his “tummy ache” disappear and has been “the best form of therapy.”
A wise farmer in the making
Joe comes from a non-farming family, but he’s embodied his new moniker, “Farmer Joe.” After buying the mentioned ewes, Joe purchased a ram — or tup as it is commonly known in Scotland — whom he named Basil.
The following spring, in 2021, one of the ewes gave Joe his first set of lambs. Over the next year, he sold lambs from his flock to buy a second-hand sheep trailer. He also added two ewes to his flock — Parsley and Parsnip.
“I was born to be a farmer — that’s what I say,” says Farmer Joe.
By 2023, the young farming prodigy had 37 Horn Jacob and Ryeland sheep and 16 Lincolnshire Buff chickens, and three rescued ducks. In 2021, he was also gifted two cow calves, Flower and Rosie, whom he has hand-reared. Joe also has a Border Collie called Spud, who’s become more than a shepherd dog for him.
“Nighttime is hard for Joe due to his anxiety, but Spud helps comfort him when he struggles to sleep. He is having training lessons to use her with his sheep,” his mother says.
Joe rears his sheep on his grandparents’ field in a nearby village. He has also rented land from a farmer where he keeps his other animals. He now sells eggs, vegetables, and wool at local markets.
Rearing an award-winning flock
Besides his farming success, Joe attends county fairs and shows where his animals have won several awards. Recently, recognizing the young farmer’s diligence and dedication, Scott Trailers gave Joe an IWT livestock trailer on loan for a year.
“Joe has 37 sheep now, and his old trailer only holds three sheep. When we move them around, it’s a two-day job! This will make our lives so much easier.”
Joe can realize his dreams and easily travel to County Fairs with more animals. His mother was very thankful to Scott Trailers and other donors for helping. Joe’s parents and grandparents have supported him in his endeavors, and this is a boost for them.
“We can’t express our gratitude enough; the Scotts are such a wonderful family to do this for us. It’s not just helping Joe to fulfill his dream. It’s also helping us as a family, so it’s a win-win situation.
The donors say Joe’s work ethic inspires kids and adults. He wakes up every day at 4 a.m. to feed his animals and recently learned to shear and spin his sheep’s wool after a neighbor donated a wheel so he could sell his wool.
An inspirational young farmer
“Most children are born into this world of farming, but this is something he’s built for himself,” said Clare.
Joe is now looking forward to his next investment — a lamb feeder — and preparing for road exhibitions at county shows.
