Eric Freeman (farmer)
Eric Freeman (8 September 1932 – 29 October 2023) was an English farmer and broadcaster.
Biography
[edit]Freeman was born into a dairy farming family in 1932.[1] He completed his formal education at the age of 16.[1] Later, he and his brother Barrie established a poultry processing business that expanded with the introduction of electric plucking machines.[1]
By the late 1970s, the Freeman brothers' operation had grown to process 40,000 birds weekly.[1]
In the late 1980s, Freeman shifted his focus towards the conservation of rare livestock breeds, notably working to prevent the extinction of Old Gloucester cattle, a breed once prevalent in his region.[1] His efforts extended to other traditional breeds such as the Gloucester Old Spots pig and the Cotswold sheep, contributing to their preservation at a time when such breeds were not widely recognized for their value.[1][2][3]
Freeman was actively involved in the revival of traditional agricultural practices and rural customs.[1] His contributions to the field of conservation were recognized with awards, including one from Prince Charles in 2013.[1][4] He also engaged in broadcasting, sharing his knowledge on programs such as BBC Radio 4's Farming Today and the television program Two Fat Ladies.[1][5]
Freeman was also a founding member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Eric Freeman, flamboyant countryman who helped save the Old Gloucester cow from extinction – obituary". The Telegraph. January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Eric Freeman hoped to save the Gloucestershire of old". The Economist.
- ^ "Hundreds attend funeral of farming pioneer Eric Freeman". BBC News. November 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Farmer who helped to save 'last' purebred Gloucester cattle from near extinction dies aged 91 | Farm News". Farmers Guardian. November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Conservationist who helped save Gloucester cattle breed dies". BBC News. October 31, 2023.