Garlic Meadow Diversification

From Backyard Chickens to Skincare Sensation: The Journey of Garlic Meadow

What began as a modest backyard project with a few chickens has blossomed into a thriving skincare business and smallholding for Natalie, a chemist turned first-time farmer. Her journey from scientific research to farming has led to the creation of Garlic Meadow Skincare, a testament to her innovation and determination.

The Start of Farming

Natalie’s initial venture into farming began with a couple of chickens in her garden, which soon expanded to a 1.5-acre field with chickens and a small flock of sheep. "I gave up my career in scientific research as the children and farming responsibilities grew," she explains. "It was then that farming became my full-time business."

As her flock of sheep multiplied, Natalie outgrew her original plot and purchased an additional 3.5-acre field. Through grazing licenses and ad hoc agreements, she now manages 15 to 20 acres across West Cardiff. 

The Goats Join In

To maintain the multiple sites, Natalie introduced two goats, Fly and Mo. "They were there to graze the scrubby bits on the fields," she says. Unexpectedly, Mo began producing milk despite not being pregnant, not an uncommon occurrence known as a 'maiden milker' in the goat world.

Natalie was advised to leave her, that the bag would dry up. But the udder grew larger and larger, with the worry of her getting mastitis Natalie took action. “I led her into the trailer with a bucket of food and taught myself to milk her by hand. The first milking was a disaster. The milk went flying! But after that, we got into the routine. She got used to it and is very good. I don’t even need to tie her up anymore, just bribe her with a bucket of food and she stands patiently.”

The surplus milk from Mo led to a eureka moment: turning goats' milk into soap. "With my chemistry background, the science behind soap making was clear to me," she notes. The process involves mixing frozen milk with sodium hydroxide and oils to create different soap characteristics. 

Creating Soaps

Natalie's first soap creation marked the birth of Garlic Meadow Skincare. To cater to her customers, she developed five scents, including an unscented version, in two sizes. "I needed to give customers other options for different seasons and occasions like Mother's Day, Christmas, and Father's Day," she explains. She also created gift boxes and shaving soaps for the male market, incorporating clay into the soap mixture for a smooth shaving experience.

Creating a skincare product may seem daunting but through plenty of searching the internet Natalie found that she needed to have the product cosmetic safety approved. This consisted of sending off formulations to a charted chemist to approve.

With a growing customer base and increasing product lines the demand was outgrowing the supply, Mo needed company, a Billy goat. A local farm who was reducing their stock gave Natalie another nanny to breed from. Fast forward to today and Natalie supplies a small number of customers with goat meat boxes, the nannies are kept to join the milking herd of a dozen goats.  

Nuffield Scholarship

Balancing farming with Garlic Meadow Skincare and family life, Natalie is also a Nuffield Scholar sponsored by NFU Mutual. "I did a leadership course with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and learned about Nuffield. It was an opportunity to build a network and gain knowledge," she says.

Her research proposal focuses on farm diversification, exploring how farms take products to market and the support they need. The scholarship allows her to examine global perspectives on farm support, and she will present her findings in November 2025.

Looking Ahead

Natalie is ambitious about the future of Garlic Meadow. She plans to expand the skincare range and enter the goats' cheese market. "There is a food centre in Wales that allows you to make cheese without heavy setup costs. I need to get my milk to a certain standard to meet food requirements," she explains.

Advice for Farmers

Producing your own product can be daunting, but Natalie has valuable advice for fellow farmers looking to diversify. "Talk to people about your idea, get advice, and build a support network. As you share your plans, word will spread about your product. Join local associations and speak to local agents for guidance."

Garlic Meadow's journey from a few chickens to a diversified farm business showcases the power of innovation, determination, and community support. Natalie's story is an inspiration for farmers everywhere, demonstrating that with passion and persistence, diversification can lead to thriving new ventures. 

To find out how NFU Mutual can help with your diversification journey, contact your local agency.