Young farmer focus: Rhianna Deeble - 'What life gives you does not define you'

Rhianna Deeble, 30, from London, draws her earliest experiences of farming from the time spent with her grandmother in Somerset. After graduating from Aberystwyth University, she found her dream job and her own farming story began.

Background

Farming has been a integral part of my life growing up especially linking to my paternal side of my family.

Sadly I was born 2 generations too late and only had the wonderful stories from my late great grandparents about their farm in Somerset and all the amazing stories my grandmother tells me, still to this day, about the farm. I wasnt necessarily born in to farming but have had family in the industry for generations.

I was always around farm animals mainly sheep as a child helping out at various friends of my grandmothers farms over the summer holidays and even entering a sheep showing contest when I was 9. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and was in a show coat 6 sizes too big but me and Winston the ram somehow placed 2nd which I was ecstatic about.

In 2016, I went to Aberystwyth university to study animal behaviour but while I was there many of the agricultural modules peaked my interest such as land management, British countryside management and agricultural husbandry/management.

After graduation I was incredibly lucky to find the job Im in now 4 years on.

Stories

I started off as a dogsbody farm hand and absolutely loved it and still do. I then had my own stories to tell my grandmother about the farm and lambing or the pesky rams who like to wipe your legs out and that brought us even closer together.

Now 4 years on I help run the other 3 farms we have dotted around the UK, assist with managing stock, drive tractors and feel confident in myself and my own ability. Im the last advocate for my family regarding farming and keeping that integral part alive which is an honour I really hope Im making my great grandparents proud.

Passionate

I am passionate about not letting lifes draw of the cards hold you back, I have a neurological condition called RRMS its an incurable disease which can make life challenging to say the least. I call it life on hard mode but Im able to work, restrain sheep which weigh twice what I do and I do not let it hinder my ability to work just as hard as anybody else.

What life gives you doesnt define who you will be or what you can make of yourself, you have to keep pushing and keep trying, life is not linear.

I also adore the flock I work with many Ive raised from being lambs, the farming life and seeing a whole new perspective of community, belonging and what adds value to life - its not material things but rather the memories and stories you share with others.