Joe Trofer-Cook is an 11-year-old boy who fell in love with agriculture during the pandemic and dreamed of becoming a farmer. His passion was sparked when he planted seeds in a new raised bed that his grandfather built for his seventh birthday. Since then, Joe has grown from selling homegrown produce to renting his own plot of land where he cares for chickens and breeds sheep.
The lockdowns caused by the pandemic were a difficult time for many people, but it served as an opportunity for Joe to cultivate his love for farming. To make ends meet, he began selling homegrown produce on a trolley outside the house and saved “every penny” to buy three chickens which he added to his produce market. This allowed him to earn enough money to buy four sheep—Rhubarb, Strawberry, Pumpkin, and Radish—whom he adorably named. The profit made from selling veg and sheep helped him rent a plot of land from a farmer in Billinghay, Lincolnshire where he now owns 37 sheep, 12 chickens two cows and one Border Collie named Spud.
What makes Joe’s story so inspiring is not only did he persevere through tough times but also overcame challenges related to autism during this difficult period of time. Joe was diagnosed with Autism during lockdowns which understandably had its own set of difficulties however tending to animals proved therapeutic for him as per his mother Clare Trofer who said that it was “the best form of therapy” for her son. Now known as ‘Farmer Joe’, this 11-year-old is making waves in the agricultural world; being the youngest exhibitor ever at the Lincolnshire show which has been running for 125 years! Every day the young entrepreneur wakes up at 4:00am to feed his animals and recently even tried spinning wool after someone donated a wheel so he could sell it.
The success story associated with this 11-year-old has inspired both adults and kids alike – proving that no dream is too big or too small regardless of age or ability. It shows us how one person can turn their dreams into reality if they are willing to work hard enough and never give up hope no matter what life throws at them!
Sources: Good News Network