Meet the 11-year-old boy who is determined to become a farmer – he rents his own land, breeds sheep and even taught himself to spin their wool.<br /><br />Joe Trofer-Cook’s passion for farming was sparked after his grandad Pete Cook, 74, built a planter in the garden for his seventh birthday.<br /><br />He started selling homegrown produce and saved “every penny” to buy his first four sheep – Rhubarb, Strawberry, Pumpkin and Radish.<br /><br />With the profit made from selling veg and sheep, Joe was able to rent a plot of land from a farmer in his village in Billinghay, Lincolnshire.<br /><br />Over two years later, Joe now owns 37 sheep, 12 chickens, two cows and a Border Collie, Spud<br /><br />He wakes up at 4am to feed his animals and once delivered lamb triplets before going to school.<br /><br />The little entrepreneur was recently donated a wheel and has learnt how to spin the sheep's wool to sell.<br /><br />Mum Clare Trofer, 47, said that tending to his animals is a form of “therapy” for Joe who has autism and anxiety.<br /><br />Farmer Joe, as he’s known, has even appeared on BBC's Countryfile and Channel 5's Springtime on the Farm.<br /><br />Clare, a cleaner, from Billinghay, Lincolnshire, said: “He the kindest, loveliest, quietest child you’ll ever meet – and so devoted.<br /><br />“Most children are born into this world of farming, but this is something he’s built for himself.<br /><br />“Joe was diagnosed with autism in lockdown, and it’s been the best form of therapy.<br /><br />“He never asked to have friends over after school, all he wants to do is go straight to his animals.<br /><br />“He started by growing his veg and selling it on his trolley outside the house.<br /><br />“Now he’s youngest exhibitor at the Lincolnshire show with his sheep in the 125 years it’s been running.<br /><br />“He is determined to become a farmer and run his own farm.<br /><br />“I’m so proud of everything he accomplished."
