About Us
Wildman Farm is owned and operated by Cate and Brenton Wildman.
Our journey with the farm began in September 2020 when we acquired the property after years of searching for a renovation project. The condition was worse than we anticipated, having been abandoned for years. Yet, beneath the layers of paint, grime, and decay, we glimpsed its potential.
Initially, we estimated that we could make the house livable within six months and then tackle the barn. Our first hurdle was discovering that the property had no septic system—just a hole in the ground. After several months, we installed a worm farm septic system and finally had a functioning toilet.
Finding builders during the COVID pandemic proved challenging. We managed to replace the house roof before the situation worsened, but the rest of the work fell to us, with some assistance from a retired concreter and a lot of guidance from the "University of YouTube." We learned how to lime mortar and plaster, moved doorways, replaced ceilings, built new walls, and moved into the house after 20 months. While we still use a temporary kitchen and an old bathroom from the 70s, we look forward to completing our new extension.
Over the following eight months, we focused on rebuilding the barn’s verandah, erecting fences, constructing a chicken coop, and creating a shelter for our three male alpacas. We also began setting up the property as a sustainable small farm. There’s still much to do!
In December 2022, when our daughter got engaged, we dreamed of hosting her wedding at the farm, making the barn our first event space. We had 15 months to prepare, which we thought would be ample time. However, we underestimated the time needed to secure approval for the barn's use.
The Barn has been completely renovated: we replaced the roof ourselves, reused the old roof to line the ceiling, and crafted lights from metal objects salvaged from the barn and a local salvage yard. We repaired the exterior stone, plastered the interior walls, and rebuilt the lean-to, now featuring a kitchenette, vanity area, and accessible bathroom. One of our most enjoyable projects was transforming the old grain silos into two charming gazebos, involving welding metal frames and using a crane to lift and cut them.
Though we were racing against the clock and left a few minor tasks unfinished, everything essential for the wedding was complete. We’re now excited to open the barn to others, welcoming anyone who wishes to host their wedding, party, seminar, or art exhibition amidst the beautiful farmland.