From Farm to Fame
Two flocks of sheep. Instagram success. And a new job in farm safety. The work of a farmer isn’t just in the fields anymore. Bizza Walters welcomes us to her world.
WORDS BY MOLLY HAYNES
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Bizza Walters had just graduated from Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and was living on her family’s farm in Warwickshire.
“My original plan was to travel around Australia and New Zealand to be a contract shepherdess and learn on the job,” she explains. But as the world’s borders shut, she reassessed her options before looking closer to home once UK restrictions eased in 2021.
Bizza Walters takes her flock of Greyface Dartmoor sheep for a walk on her farm in Warwickshire.
Persistence paid off and together with her sheepdog Dougal she worked her way up north, as far as Orkney and Iceland, living and working with local sheep farmers. “I was away for three months the first time and six weeks the second. It was mostly me and the dog, working in remote areas. But I learnt lots and it helped me grow as a person. It also gave me time to work out what my path in agriculture was going to be outside the family farm,” she says.
“People often ask, ‘Why sheep not cows?’ I’m petite and sheep are smaller than me and easier to handle. I’d also wanted my own sheep for ages. Eventually my parents said yes I could keep them on the farm, on the condition I chose a rare breed, so my work would contribute to the numbers,” she explains.
Bizza now manages two flocks. Her pedigree Greyface Dartmoors, which she got in 2021 and sells on. “They’re hardy and were originally bred for wool,” she says. “I started with two ewes and now have 11. Those that don’t make pedigree, get sold for meat. As of this year, the breed is no longer categorised as rare, which is fantastic.”
She also has a commercial flock of New Zealand Romneys, which she breeds for meat. More recently she crossed the two breeds using one of her Greyface Dartmoor rams. “It’s an experiment,” she laughs.
It was her sheep and trips north that Bizza credits for the start of her Instagram success and growing interest in agricultural broadcasting.
‘I support exploring the countryside, but it’s got to be done respectfully.'
“Friends and family wanted to follow my time away, so it started as a diary. But it took off as people took interest in my life as a young farmer,” she says of her nearly 15 thousand strong Instagram following. “I was also an NFU Student and Young Farmer Ambassador in 2022. It gave me so many fascinating opportunities while allowing me to grow my social following.”
She’s selective about which campaigns she’s involved in. She’s an ambassador for Ridgeline because she loves the durability and comfort of the clothing. “Whether I’m on the farm or riding horses, Ridgeline works for both – particularly the Infinity Leggings. While the Women's Rhea Jacket is warm and flexible, which means I can move easily working with my sheep.”
More recently, she’s supported Farm 24 powered by Farmers Guardian and sponsored by Morrisons. “This campaign helps connect consumers to farmers and shows how we get food from farm to table,” she explains. But her quest to educate on the importance of seasonal produce and reducing food miles is year round.
Bizza Walters being interviewed by various media on farming topics.
“We have an abundance of produce available in the UK. From lamb in summer to apples in late summer and autumn. I encourage people to buy food from local sources if possible. Or check the provenance labels in supermarkets. Off season asparagus comes from Peru while it’s abundant here in spring.”
Bizza also has views on the Right to Roam campaign that’s gaining momentum. “I encourage people to explore the countryside, but it’s got to be done respectfully. Sticking to footpaths, closing gates, keeping dogs on leads and taking notice of warning signs. We’ve got dangerous machinery and volatile animals that we need to keep people safe from.”
She recently landed a new job as Farm Safety Campaign Coordinator for the Yellow Wellies Farm Safety Foundation. The charity addresses the attitudes and behaviours to risk-taking and poor mental health in farmers under 40. It does this through engagement, education, communication and research. “The job brings my passion for media and agriculture together,” she says. “I get to work on campaigns, social media, deliver training in schools and colleges, and attend agriculture shows. It’s an important charity, which focuses on improving the lives of farmers. I hope I can help people and make a difference.”
Bizza would love this role to bring her closer to a career in agricultural broadcasting. “Long term, I want to showcase real-life farming, meet farmers and educate people on what we do,” she says. And while she’s already doing that on Instagram, she never stages her work. “You can’t tell your sheepdog and flock to ‘take two’ if you don’t get the shot. But if I get the footage first time, I’m happy.”
She admits it can be challenging not following a conventional career path. But she’s excited to combine her passion for farming and broadcasting together. “I love what I do. And I love where I get to live and work. I feel lucky, and also proud of the hard work I’ve put in to get here.”
Bizza relaxing with her sheep at home wearing her Monarch Gilet and Monsoon Classic Cap