Social worker takes on new business venture, selling alpaca poo tea bags and more at Fields Farm in Whaplode

A social worker has taken on a new business venture - selling alpaca poo tea bags and more.

Kate Heywood, 36, says ‘life is too short’ and wants change after working in social services for more than 15 years.

The family decided to move from Essex to Fields Farm in Whaplode more than three years ago - and have been busy renovating the site since.

Kate said: “Social work is very stressful. I have been doing it for more than 15 years and it’s one of those jobs where you can’t just leave it at work at the end of the day. It does affect the family and I’m at my happiest when I am doing things outside – I would love to be doing this full time eventually.

“I think it’s really lovely for people to come and experience it and they say ‘you should bottle it up and sell it if you can’. I hope that it will help with people’s mental health as that is definitely a route I would like to go down. If it can bring happiness for people then I want to help.

“My kids are able to grow up and live here and I think it is important for other kids to come and experience it.”

In order to get the word out, Kate began selling alpaca poo as fertiliser, which gained the attention from local people. She added: “We started selling alpaca poo as it’s great fertiliser. People in the area became interested and the word naturally passed around.

“We didn’t own one animal when we moved here but it was always something we wanted to do. I rescued a lot of them and I can’t say no to an animal.”

Earlier in the summer, the farm opened its doors to the public and offered a range of workshops and activities to find out what people in the area enjoy.

Some of the events included outdoor yoga, soundology, willow weaving, themed afternoon teas and crafts for children.

The farm is currently home to chickens, two sheep, ducks, six goats, ten alpacas, rabbits, three peacocks, guinea pigs and two dogs.

Although Fields Farm has been under renovation for more than three years, there are still lots of future projects on the cards. Kate hopes to build an outdoor shelter for the colder months, a rustic play area and dedicated space for outdoor events and parties.

Kate said: “Different businesses in the area have been contacting us to host a variety of events. It has been nice and gives us an idea of what is out there. The alpaca community in the area has also been really supportive and helped give us advice and different contacts for people we might need in the future.

“It’s all trial and error at the minute because we are new. The open space is great for mental health and the animals are very therapeutic too.

“All of them are free range as I don’t like the fact some animals are kept in pens and sections. They are an added bonus to what we offer here but we don’t want to limit ourselves by going down that avenue completely.

“This year has been a tester for us but we are hoping that by May or April next year, we can get stuck into it properly. My favourite part about it so far has been meeting different people and receiving feedback.

“So far people have been lovely and positive about it. A lot of visitors have told us there is a need for green areas in the district and we do like the idea of renting the space out for events.

“It helps give us an idea of what people are interested in and we are always learning. I’m definitely nervous but excited – it is the right thing for us and when we get feedback it keeps me pushing towards the end goal.”

For more information or to contact the farm, visit Fields Farm on Facebook.