I quit my job to farm: Nicky Baker, Dorset

Scale of farm: 1400 breeding ewes, dairy, Beef, arable, just over 2500 acres

• What did you do before you farmed?

I worked in a petrol station for 14 years.

It suited me at the time as a single parent with a young daughter – school times and out-of-school clubs fitted around the hours.

It was fine for a while but I began to long to be back outdoors.

• Did you have any farming experience?

I did, yes. When I left school I went to agricultural college and worked for 6 years on a sheep farm.

I studied for a NCA which is a National certificate in agriculture plus, I did an extra course on sheep. I then had my daughter and took the job at the petrol station.

• When did you decide to quit?

When I turned 40 one of my friends decided to go back to university and retrain. It made me re-evaluate my life.

Around the same time, I was contacted by an old friend from the farming community who asked if I could help with lambing.

I took a holiday for a fortnight from the petrol station and realised how much I missed farming. When I went back to work, I handed my notice in and a month later I was back on that very farm.

• What was it about farming that you like?

I love working outside – it gives you a sense of freedom.

And it keeps you fit of course. Working with livestock is something I’ve always had a passion for livestock and being outdoors, you see the beauty of the changing seasons too.

• What has been your biggest obstacle?

My height. I’m only 4"10 and not as strong as the men I work with on the farm. I sometimes struggle with certain jobs but, if I can’t do it using my strength then I use my brain and find another way.

• Did you have support around you in the transition?

My daughter, who was a teenager at the time, was very supportive.

She often cooked me meals when I was lambing or working long hours and helped around the house.

People at the farm would try to help me however I’m a very determined and independent person, and working in a male dominated job I felt that I had to prove myself.

Prove that I was capable of doing the work and didn’t want people to make allowances for my gender or size.

• What do you love most now about your job?

iI love working outdoors and that when I go out into the fields, I can recognise a sheep that I’ve known from birth and know I helped it survive.

I love the different characters you get with sheep. I love the fact that no two days are the same. I love seeing the crops change through each season.

• Do you ever regret your decision?

No! Since leaving the garage I have lost weight.

I am probably the fittest and healthiest I’ve ever been. Yes, there are hard days on the farm but the good days, by far, outweigh them.