“If you want to do something, chase it.”
What happens when a dream of farming, a caravan with straw bale insulation and a love of gin come together?
In the latest episode of Blether Together, host Sarah Stephen sits down with Jenny McKerr, founder of Wee Farm Distillery in South Lanarkshire, who describes herself as a “gin farmer”.
Jenny and her husband Steven are first-generation farmers who took a leap of faith almost ten years ago, buying a 45-acre farm with no house, no clear plan and three young daughters in tow. What followed was years of hard graft, resilience, diversification and learning to do farming differently.
From raising cattle and sheep to building one of Scotland’s smallest commercial distilleries, Jenny shares the honest reality of building a business from scratch, the wobbles along the way and why she believes stepping back is just as important as pushing forward.
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Jenny speaks openly about the challenges of farming life, the pressure of self-employment and the reality of juggling multiple enterprises, while also sharing why she wouldn’t swap the lifestyle they have created.“We had nothing to our names, but we had our own wee place. We could go outside, feed our cows and sheep and just start building something together.”
One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation is wellbeing and recognising when it is time to take a break.
“Time away from the farm is just as important as time on it. I don’t want the kids growing up thinking mum and dad just worked all the time
Jenny also reflects on what she hopes to pass on to her daughters.
“Just don’t worry what other people think. Go and do your thing. Someone’s always going to have an opinion.”
The conversation is full of humour, honesty and practical wisdom, from caravan life and cattle bedding made from insulation straw bales, to building a thriving farm business rooted in authenticity, quality food and drink, and a good blether.
Whether you are farming, diversifying, navigating family life or simply trying to keep all the plates spinning, Jenny’s story is a reminder that there is more than one way to build a life that works for you.
Looking after your wellbeing
If this conversation resonates with you, Farmstrong Scotland has tools and resources available.
The How’s It Going? tool on the Farmstrong website is a simple way to reflect on your wellbeing and find practical ideas to help you stay on track.
Remember, you’re not alone and small steps can make a real difference.
