One Earth. Many Farmers. Countless Stories.
Nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, England, there once stood a traditional cattle farm known as Bradley Nook Farm, inherited by Jay Wilde—a man born into the dairy business, but never truly at peace with it. Today, that same patch of English countryside tells a new story—not of slaughter and sorrow—but of soil, sustainability, and second chances.
A Legacy of Livestock
Jay Wilde grew up shadowing his father, learning the rhythms of dairy farming from a young age. From feeding calves to milking cows, farm life was his destiny—or so it seemed. Yet even as he followed this path, Jay felt an inner conflict that only deepened over time. He harbored an unusual connection to the animals—a sense of respect and kinship that stood in contrast to their fate as farm commodities.
Despite becoming a vegetarian over two decades ago, Jay continued working on the dairy farm after his father passed in 2011. But the emotional toll of forcibly separating calves from their mothers—a standard practice in the dairy industry—was too heavy to bear.
To take the cow’s milk, you have to separate her from her baby. The cows get very upset when they are separated. It takes them a long time to get over it,” Jay said. “It was soul-destroying.”
In a bid to keep the farm afloat, Jay shifted from dairy to beef farming—thinking perhaps it would be more bearable. Cows were allowed to stay with their young for a while longer, but ultimately, they were still sold for slaughter. The emotional burden remained.
From Beef to Belief
The tipping point came with a conversation—an unplanned moment that changed everything. Jay met representatives from The Vegan Society, who introduced him to the concept of stock-free organic farming—agriculture without any animal exploitation. Inspired by the idea, he connected with Iain Tolhurst, a pioneer of veganic (vegan-organic) farming, and David Graham of the Vegan Organic Network. Together, they assessed the soil and concluded that Bradley Nook could be transformed into a sustainable plant-based farm.
But what about the cows?
Jay couldn’t bear the thought of selling them for slaughter, nor passing them on to another farmer. He wanted a clean break from the cycle of suffering. The Vegan Society stepped in, and in an unexpected stroke of kindness, Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk agreed to take Jay’s entire herd—over 70 cows. They were spared.
This moment was immortalized in the award-winning short film “73 Cows”, which won a BAFTA Award for Best Short Film in 2019.
You knew that you were taking them to what must be a terrifying experience,” Jay recalled. “It was very difficult to do. But I needed to keep the farm working… until I could find what else to do.”
A New Harvest Begins
Today, Bradley Nook Farm is no longer a site of animal farming but a veganic vegetable farm, run by Jay and his wife, Katja. Their land yields nutritious produce using organic composts and green manures, following strict veganic principles. No animal fertilizers. No cruelty. Just clean, regenerative farming.
Their journey has not only inspired countless people across the UK but also triggered serious conversations about ethical food production, climate change, and mental health in farming.
Jay’s mission now is to lead by example—to show that farming doesn’t have to mean cruelty, and that it’s possible to grow food while honoring life.
I hope it will inform people about a more humane and efficient way of feeding the world,” he said. “And that it will encourage other people to do what they feel and know to be right, instead of just following tradition.”
Earnings & Transition Support
While the initial transition to veganic farming was financially challenging, support came from The Vegan Society’s Grow Green campaign, which helped with training, consultation, and public outreach. Jay has since monetized through:
Local vegetable box schemes
Farm tours and educational programs
Media attention and documentary revenue
Community-supported agriculture (CSA)
Average annual earnings have stabilized in the range of £25,000–£40,000, depending on crop yields and weather, with future goals to scale into organic retail supply.
From Farm Animal to Farm Ally
Jay Wilde’s story is not just about switching careers—it’s about moral courage, innovation, and empathy in a world that urgently needs all three. As climate pressures rise and ethical consumerism grows, stories like Jay’s are more relevant than ever.
From beef to beets, from heartbreak to hope—this UK farmer reminds us that the earth is generous… if we let it heal.
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