‘Sustaining Britain’ follows 2 British family farms in Dorset, UK. Both farms are located just 15 miles from each other but face very different challenges.

Berry Hill Farm, located in Muscliff, Bournemouth is owned by Jim Hooper, a 3rd generation farmer. Jim’s grandparents started farming the now 30 acres of land after the second world war growing vegetables for the local community. Today, Jim continues this by selling his produce at markets and through home delivered veg boxes to the community. Although he employs two workers, both of Jim’s sons work jobs outside of farming due to the low financial rewards that the farm provides, leaving Jim likely to be the last farmer at Berry Hill. 

Rawston Farm, located in Tarrant Rawston, Blandford is owned by James Cossins, a 5th generation farmer who overseas and farms the 2500 acres of Dorset countryside. James’ family started the farm in 1877, which today has expanded with the Rawston Farm shop and Butchery as well as taking ownership of the Langston Arms, a local village pub. James’ son Henry also works on the farm alongside 7 other workers covering a wide range of produce including arable crops such as oil seed rape and wheat, milk from the dairy cattle herd, honey and beef. Rawston Farm remains family owned today and continues to expand and pass on farming knowledge and heritage within and beyond the family.