A 13-year-old boy from Cornwall is proving that age is no barrier after launching his own dairy business.
Charlie Sawle, from St Agnes on Cornwall’s north coast, has established Sid’s Dairy at Beacon Cottage Farm, where he produces and sells a range of fresh dairy products using milk from his Jersey cow, Clare.
Although his family are beef farmers, Charlie always dreamed of becoming a dairy farmer. His fascination with cattle began at a very young age, when he had his first calf at just six years old - which he later showed at Stithians Show.
Charlie said: “I have always been fascinated by cattle. I had my first calf when I was six and it was named after my dad’s first calf, Trevithick, but I couldn’t pronounce that, so it ended up as Terrific.”
Determined to start his own dairy venture, Charlie saved money for three years before buying his first Jersey cow, Clare. Born in April 2023, Clare is milked once a day by Charlie after school on term-time weekdays.
“I saved up and bought my first Jersey cow so that I could start milking. I love milking and it’s so satisfying to see the milk and cream in the fridge at the end of the day,” he added.
Every day after school, Charlie heads to the 400-acre family farm to milk Clare before carefully pasteurising the milk on-site and transforming it into a range of premium dairy products.
Customers can purchase fresh whole milk, semi-skimmed milk, luxurious double cream and traditional Cornish clotted cream directly from the Sid’s Dairy farm shop. The dairy’s brand name comes from Charlie’s nickname.
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Charlie’s passion for farming and commitment to producing high-quality local food has seen him complete all the required food safety certifications needed to operate the business.
“Starting Sid’s Dairy has been a dream come true. I love working with Clare and being able to produce and sell our own dairy products. Jersey cows produce very rich, creamy milk, so Clare’s milk is perfect for Sid’s Dairy.”
The venture is already attracting support from the local community, with customers keen to back a young entrepreneur and the next generation of farmers.
With growing interest in local food production, Sid’s Dairy offers customers the chance to buy high-quality Cornish dairy products directly from a passionate young producer.
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