About Us
Hello I am Stephanie and I’m married to James. Together we have 4 little people.
James and I are 4th generation farmer’s at Ballydown but if you look back on maps, Martins have always been farming this land since the 1800s.
Back in 2017, James returned from a trip to Germany brimming with excitement about milk vending machines. While the timing wasn't quite right then (wedding bells were on the horizon!), the idea stayed with us. Fast forward a few years, with two little ones underfoot (18 months and 4 months old!), Stephanie saw an opportunity to get involved in the family business while still being there for our growing boys. The unfair milk prices we were facing only strengthened our resolve.
So, with a healthy dose of "can-do" spirit, we started researching milk vending machines, pasteurisers, and all the regulations involved. We built our processing room, designed our logo, and dove headfirst into the world of milk production. But we didn't stop there! James, ever the yogurt enthusiast (though Stephanie wasn't quite so convinced at first!), spent a year learning the art of yogurt making through trial, error, and countless internet tutorials. It wasn't always easy, but after a year of dedication, we finally cracked the code and created our very own yogurt base.
Today, thanks to a fantastic partnership with Loughry College, we're continuing to perfect our yogurt-making skills and develop exciting new flavours (stay tuned!).
Ballydown Farm is a testament to family, hard work, and a passion for bringing high-quality, delicious products straight from our farm to your table. We hope you'll join us on this journey!
James, my husband is the other half of Ballydown Milk. James is a fourth generation farmer who has been raised on the farm, working hard along side his Dad Sam.
James can usually be found more often now in the office, doing the never ending paper work (which he hates). He is most happy when he is in a harvester, bringing in the silage for our lovely ladies or working with our dairy herd. In his younger days while doing his agricultural degree, James farmed in New Zealand and America. In these countries he learnt some valuable farming techniques, which we still practice on our farm today.
Favourite flavour of milk- Tea
Favourite flavour of ice-cream - Toffee
Favourite yoghurt - (top secret for now )
Sam and Wilma
Sam is James’ father. Sam along with his parents worked extremely hard to build the farm up from the ground, while Wilma james’ mother attended to the calves ensuring their health and wellbeing was good. Sam is still very active on the farm and can be seen roaming the yard early every morning feeding the cows, the digester and some might recognise him zooming around the roads in the gator. Wilma also looked after all the workers on the farm, making their dinners. They are a valuable part in the farms history, especially now in helping to look after our children on the days Stephanie is working in the Dairy.
Johnston
Johnston joined the team in Feb 2022 bringing with him valuable experience which he gained while working for a large dairy company. He works part time, pasteurising the milk, making yoghurt and delivering yoghurt.
Harry
Harry manages our herd of cows and calves ensuring their health and wellbeing needs are met.
Mark and Conor
Mark and Conor work hard in the tractors doing all the field work. From Febuary to October they spread slurry (any complaints about the smell in the ballydown area, go see them) lol they work hard late into the night harvesting the grass and wholecrop for silage.
Christopher
Christopher loves milking cows and can be found in the milking parlour day and night, ensuring that high standards are kept.