The Black Farmer is me, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones.  A child of the Windrush generation, I came to the UK from Jamaica as a small child to join my parents who had come over a few years earlier.  My family, which quickly grew to nine children, lived in poverty in a small two-up, two-down terrace house in inner city Birmingham.

My dad had a much-prized allotment where he grew vegetables that supplemented the family food. As the eldest boy it was my job to help tend the allotment and it was on that allotment that I first dreamed of owning my own farm, a piece of the British countryside, and it was that dream that became my focus in everything I did.

My life has had many interesting career moves – from chef to TV producer/director and founder of a successful food and drink marketing company - and I achieved my dream to own my own small farm on the Devon/Cornwall border when I was 40.  It was here that my Devon neighbours coined the name ‘The Black Farmer’ and this inspired me to launch my own brand – The Black Farmer.  Today I’m proud to say that The Black Farmer offers everything from quality food and drink to skincare and lifestyle products.  

As we approach Black History Month in October, as a black person growing up in the UK, I recognise the importance of celebrating the contribution that black people through history have made to the culture of the UK.   It’s only through raising awareness that we will eventually get to a place of real inclusivity and diversity and Black History Month is a great reminder of that.  It aims to promote and celebrate the contributions of those with African and Caribbean heritage to British society and to foster an understanding of Black history in general.

Every year The Black Farmer launches special packs of sausages to celebrate Black History Month and feature some incredible people who have done so much, like Mary Seacole and Sergeant Lincoln Orville Lynch DFM.

I am also passionate about bringing more diversity into the food and farming industries.  This year, working with Writtle University College, I have launched the ‘New Faces for Farming’ initiative inviting 16 – 18 year olds from non-traditional backgrounds to have a taster of what a career in agriculture could be for them.  

My life and love of food spans both urban and rural ways of life and my The Black Farmer brand celebrates that passion.  You are very welcome into my world!