Across the golden fields of the Oxfordshire countryside lies a truly hidden gem—Gorse Farm, a regenerative farm and self-service farm shop run by Matthew and Martina Eyre-Brook, a husband-and-wife team.
The duo of a German-born vet and an ex-military officer with farming roots are proving to be a well-oiled machine to run an active third-generation family farm, with its main focus being its herd of beef cattle known as The Oxford Reds. They love living on the farm with and near their livestock. Martina says they dedicate their lives to ensuring the cows are happy and healthy. Their customers love that the animals live a stress-free life in one spot. The farm plants a mix of herbs, legumes, and grasses; Gorse Farm leys don’t require any artificial fertiliser or chemicals, only rain and sunshine.
Happy cattle make regenerative farming much more enjoyable, as reflected in the delicious, nutritious, sustainable prime beef the Eyre-Brooks sell in their farm shop. The beginning of the farm shop came from the lockdown and the necessity for quality local produce. At first, Martina converted an old wardrobe into an egg-selling shed, which became so popular they started selling honey. After a relatively strong February storm in 2022, the couple upgraded the wardrobe into a wooden shed with a 14-litre milk dispenser. The milk dispenser was a great success, and Martina constantly ran back and forth to refill the milk! They have since upgraded to a proper automated milk vending machine that holds 100 litres and makes milkshakes too! With more space available, they added a chilled vending machine for bottles, butter, yoghurts, farm-fresh honey, and a self-service freezer for their ‘The Oxford Reds’ beef. With the support of other local business ladies, Gorse Farm Goodies offers a range of honey-based soaps and pure beeswax candles.
In 2022, Matt’s love for dahlias resulted in adapting a little strip of land to accommodate a variety of cultivars, which eventually became a wildly successful ‘pick your own’ scheme to the joy of surrounding neighbours.
In addition to the local food and products, Martina shares beautiful and wholesome content on social media, including one unique story about an owl—you must go and see it on Instagram.
Miles Torrent says he’s a novice grower, but don’t believe him! He’s been growing veg for decades and loves experimenting with food, drinks, mushrooms and more.
Gorse Farm Goodies is a regenerative farm and self-serve shop run by Matthew and Martina Eyre-Brook in the beautiful countryside of Oxfordshire.
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