The Hird family has farmed at Yockenthwaite Farm since 1842 and when Elizabeth and Stephen Hird got married in 1991, the farming industry was going through challenges. They were forced to diversify and opened three bedrooms as a bed and breakfast. In 2001 they had to close for 12 months due to the foot and mouth epidemic which resulted in many of their B&B guests moving away to the coast, so the family decided to be creative to attract more people.
“From the farmer’s markets we also did a few agricultural shows and then we were approached by shop owners we wanted to sell wholesale. “We’re getting a lot of inquiries from people in America who have seen Yockenthwaite on All Creatures Great and Small. If they Google Yockenthwaite they find our granola. “Earlier this year released a behind the scenes video of and showed it just in America. “I think it costs around £30 to ship an order to the States, but people are prepared to pay it.