LOOKING through Rose-coloured glasses at a 40-acre farm between Howden and York, life could not be greener.

Robert Rose and his brother, Paul, who raise Dexter cattle, Kerry Hill sheep and pigs at Rosewood Farms in Ellerton, then sell their products via the internet, were determined not to register as an organic farm.

Paul says: “Our personal green ethics and commitment to British agriculture formed the basis of what has become a very green business.

“Due to our size, sector and desire not to make sustainable food an expensive niche, we decided not to go down that route.”

Instead, they have gone so far beyond even organic principles, even on a further 40 acres of rented land that they manage in East Yorkshire, that the brothers are now pitching for the Think Green Business Of The Year title in The Press Business Awards 2011.

In the nine years they have run the farm they have avoided the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, encouraged herbs and legumes within the pasture and improved wildlife habitats.

And they have embraced rotational grazing techniques used by US farmers, which involved moving the cattle to to a fresh paddock of grass daily, and doing the same, when appropriate, for sheep.

This encourages fresh forage and allows between grazings, leaving wildlife undisturbed, as the appearance of rare brown hare and barn owls bear witness.

The Roses process and market direct to the consumer most of their produce which includes beef, pork, lamb and mutton, free range eggs, fleeces, yarns, sheepskins and cattle hides. They are now in the process of developing a micro-dairy using pedigree Jersey cattle.

The animals are fed locally-grown grain and pulses, Energy is generated using a 100 per cent renewables electricity provider.

The brothers emphasis recyclable packaging and rain is collected from new livestock buildings to supply animal drinking and washing water.

Most of their sales are online at rosewoodfarms.co.uk, but the Roses are now looking to encourage more local customers and off-line ordering.

In a celebration of their “green” credentials, Robert’s recent wedding to Natalie this year was a “handmade British” affair.

Even the wedding dress was made of hand-made wool.