Hafren Rare Breeds is run by Jessi and Chris Stephens, and we farm rare and traditional breeds on the beautiful Monmouthshire banks of the River Severn. Chris is a fourth-generation local farmer, while Jessi is brand new to farming – a true “new entrant” learning everything from the ground up! Our farming journey began with rented barns and borrowed fields for sheep and calves. It was a bit of a patchwork at first, but in 2022 we were lucky enough to be awarded a tenancy with Monmouthshire County Council here – and that gave us the solid start we needed. We didn’t set out to farm native and rare breeds, but it turns out they suit us (and our land) perfectly. We now keep Belted Welsh Blacks – the ancient cattle of Wales – who happily live outside all year round and turn grass into rich, healthy beef. We also raise pedigree Welsh pigs in outdoor systems, selling their meat directly to local butchers and our customers. We also now have a micro dairy with our lovely a2a2 Jersey cows as well as farm fresh eggs from our free range hens and geese.