Meet the 11-year-old boy who is determined to become a farmer – he rents his own land, breeds sheep and even taught himself to spin their wool.

Joe Trofer-Cook’s passion for farming was sparked after his grandad Pete Cook, 74, built a planter in the garden for his seventh birthday.

He started selling homegrown produce and saved "every penny" to buy his first four sheep – Rhubarb, Strawberry, Pumpkin and Radish."

With the profit made from selling veg and sheep, Joe was able to rent a plot of land from a farmer in his village in Billinghay, Lincolnshire.

Over two years later, Joe now owns 37 sheep, 12 chickens, two cows and a Border Collie, Spud

He wakes up at 4am to feed his animals and once delivered lamb triplets before going to school.

The little entrepreneur was recently donated a wheel and has learnt how to spin the sheep's wool to sell.

Mum Clare Trofer, 47, said that tending to his animals is a form of "therapy" for Joe who has autism and anxiety."

Farmer Joe, as he’s known, has even appeared on BBC's Countryfile and Channel 5's Springtime on the Farm.

Clare, a cleaner, from Billinghay, Lincolnshire, said: "He the kindest, loveliest, quietest child you’ll ever meet – and so devoted."

"Most children are born into this world of farming, but this is something he’s built for himself."

"Joe was diagnosed with autism in lockdown, and it’s been the best form of therapy."

"He never asked to have friends over after school, all he wants to do is go straight to his animals."

"He started by growing his veg and selling it on his trolley outside the house."

"Now he’s youngest exhibitor at the Lincolnshire show with his sheep in the 125 years it’s been running."

"He is determined to become a farmer and run his own farm."

"I’m so proud of everything he accomplished."

Joe fell in love with farming after his grandad Pete Cook, retired, built raised beds in the garden for him to grow potatoes in April 2019.

When lockdown hit in March 2020, the little boy bought a few packets of seeds to grow his own vegetables.

He sold them at the front of the house and with the money he made, he bought three chickens.

Around the same time, Joe was diagnosed with Autism, and mum Clare noticed how much his new hobby helped him.

She said: "Neighbours came regularly to buy his produce which was local and homegrown."

"I think people found it safer than going to the shops during Covid."

By saving his money Joe was able to afford his first four ewes - female sheep - which cost around £80 each.

He also got a Tup - a male sheep - called Basil, and the following spring, in 2021, Joe welcomed his first set of lambs.

Over the next year, he sold the lambs to afford a second-hand sheep trailer and bought two new ewes – Parsley and Parsnip.

"Joe went to a farmer’s market and bid on another ewe, called Butterbean," Claire continues."

"She didn’t have any lambs, so Joe used his trailer to take her to show her at country shows."

"He got through to the Championships – it just shows how resourceful he is."

Joe was then donated two cow calves called Rosie and Flower in November 2021, by The TV Channel 5 show Christmas on the Farm, who he hand-reared.

He keeps the sheep in a field that his grandparents own, in a nearby village, and other animals are on land he rents from a farmer.

He recently rehomed a Border Collie, that he named Spud, who has done wonders for Joe's anxiety.

Claire said: "Nighttime is hard for Joe due to his anxiety,"

but Spud helps comfort him when he struggles to sleep.

"He is having training lesson so he can use her with his sheep."

"He is so devoted to his animals."

The entrepreneurial little boy was determined to grow his "farm" and kept finding ways to make more money."

He was donated a spinning wheel by a Claire's colleague and local resident has taught him how to use it and spin his own wool from his sheep.

Joe now sells the wool, eggs, and veg at local markets, as well as attending regular County Fairs to show his sheep and chickens.

Claire said: "He saved up for a camera to watch the sheep during lambing season and a special tunnel to house them in called a polytunnel."

"It cost him £700, and his dad Adam, 45, and grandad Pete helped build it."

"Me and his dad aren't farmers, so this is all something he's done by himself."

Joe has made a name for himself locally, so Claire set-up a Facebook paged for him called ‘Joe’s Garden Patch’ which has a staggered 1.8k followers.

Joe lives at home along with dad Adam, a shot blaster and sprayer, and his two little brothers Stan, six, and five-year-old Ernie.

Claire said: "His brothers really look up to him."

"They're following his footsteps and all three of them are in a show ring this year at a county fair."

"I think works harder than most full-grown men."

"More than anything, this has been the best form of therapy for him."

"We're so proud of Joe and I know he'll own his own farm one day."