5 minutes with… The Curious Farmer Joel Kerr
For three generations Joel Kerr’s family have farmed a hilly patch of land in Tyghan, Dungannon.
It’s always been a curious farm – not in the strange sense of the word, but in the inquisitive – with Joel’s father noticing the changing landscape of farming and in turn making adaptations to suit.
Since 2014, Joel has taken on a full-time role on the farm working alongside his father with increasing responsibility.
After reintroducing native breeds to the farm Joel has also started selling their beef to home cooks in small batches and developed a range of spice blends and a smoked ketchup accompaniment.
But, something The Curious Farmer is perhaps most famous for is his Pie Shop on Kilnacart Street.
Here they house a variety of freshly baked pies that showcase their own grass-fed Shorthorn beef their alongside chicken and vegetarian options.
Armagh Jobs completed a short interview with Joel to find out a bit more about the Curious Farmer himself:
Why did you choose to be a business owner?
I wouldn’t say I chose it, it started as a bit of hobby that got out of control.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
Probably opening the Pie Shop on our farm, and customers actually turning up.
I’d talked about it for a while and there was a general assumption that the farm was too far out of the way for it to work.
What is your favourite thing about being an entrepreneur?
For the most part I can plan my hours around spending time with my wife and children.
What has been the biggest challenge?
I did work full time for quite a few years and the monthly pay cheque was nice.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
Sleep on it. Things always look better in the morning.
If you could choose anything else to do, what would it be?
I think I’d give being an internationally successful pop star a go.
What do you think your best quality is?
I’m not the person who picks things up the fastest, but if I really want to do something I generally get there, eventually.
Name three things that you like doing outside of work…
I have three small children so outside of work they take up all my time.
Three things I used to enjoy – a good road trip in a foreign country, a lazy Sunday with the newspapers and a BNO (but those days are long gone).
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have.
One of my photos was in an exhibition in the Tate gallery. I was quite pleased about that.
What is your most prized possession?
I don’t really get attached to things, although I just got a new pie machine and I might get attached to that.
What is your favourite food?
I’m embarrassed to say – sausage, beans and spuds (mash). It’s been my favourite food forever and I’m still not sick of it.
I am quite an adventurous eater, but you can’t beat good old comfort food.
What is your favourite book?
I listen to a lot of audio books, so very hard to choose, but Roots by Alex Haley always sticks out in my mind
What are you currently watching?
Severance on Apple TV.
If you were to watch a band/singer live, who would it be?
Recently I’ve really had a hankering to see U2.
Dead or alive, who would you most want to meet and why?
I’ve never really thought about it before, so off the top of my head – Abraham Lincoln. He’s bound to have a few wise words to share!