In pictures: Farming family life

Luson Farm in Devon's South Hams has been in Joan Toms' family for hundreds of years.

At 85, Joan well remembers the days before machinery was used for milking and harvesting.

Her son Nick runs the farm now, but economics means the dairy has gone and he raises suckler calves for beef.

Nick took over the farm at 17 when his father died, but he says he does not want to force his children into farming.

In order to keep the farm going, the family have branched out again, into running a farm shop near Ivybridge.

Nick's youngest son James (centre) manages the shop, which is supplied by local producers .

Keeping down food miles are important to the Toms, and customers can see exactly how far most of the products have come.

And all the family joins in - James' aunt and cousins make cakes for the shop and tea room.

The meat in the butchery section is all traceable, and most of the beef is raised on the butcher's family farm.

Butcher Tim Hubbard says the farm shop competes with large supermarkets by offering local, quality produce.

Back on Luson Farm, Joan says she does what she is allowed which, if she gets her way, is helping out with the cows.

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