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Monday, 1 October 2007, 10:46 GMT 11:46 UK

In pictures: Farming family life

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

Old photos

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

Nick running with cows

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

Nick Toms

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

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

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

Farm shop

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

Cakes

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

meat

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

butcher

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

Joan cows

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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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Related to this story:
Farming life: A family tradition (01 Oct 07 | Magazine )
One farm, one family, 350 years (01 Oct 07 | Magazine )
In pictures: Bygone farming (01 Oct 07 | In Pictures )