A little departure from our usual newsletter this month, we thought we’d tell you a little of our story - how we got here and where we’re heading next.

Every farm has a beginning, a seed

Ours was sown in 1997, when Adrian Halstead, an allotment gardener with soil under his fingernails and ideas blooming faster than weeds, took a leap of faith. He bought the nurseries and began the long, patient process of organic conversion - not just changing the soil, but changing the way a community could connect to food. Adrian didn’t just grow vegetables; he built the place, quite literally. With his own hands he raised the pack shed, pieced together glasshouses from reclaimed panels, invested in more land and finally, crafted a home from the ground up. That home still stands proudly on the land, now filled with the laughter of Harry, our current Manager and Head Grower, and his young family.

A Changing of Seasons

After twenty-five years of deep dedication, cultivating the soil, the business, the brand, and the trust of loyal customers, Adrian felt it was time for new hands at the helm. Harry had been one of those hands for years - a quiet, steady force in the fields who has a natural rhythm with the land. He and his wife Kirsty had not long moved west to Devon when Adrian came calling. The offer of partnership and the chance to return to Barcombe and step up to running the farm felt like it was an opportunity to good to pass up so they came back to the farm - a move that would root their growing family in this community once more. Now, with two daughters and four thriving years behind them, they are deeply rooted in the community and proud to see the farm thriving.

Hands in the Soil, Hearts in the Work

Though Adrian has stepped back into a well-earned retirement, his presence is still felt in every beam and board he once built. He’s the wise voice on the other end of the line, always ready to share advice or lend a hand on a new project. The daily rhythm of the farm continues under Harry’s guidance - a symphony of collaboration played by an extraordinary, hard-working team. From our growers, to our pack shed team, our delivery drivers - each one a crucial thread in the living fabric of the farm.

Growing Forward

Today, we find ourselves at a moment of exciting expansion, building on the foundations Adrian laid with love and persistence. Last year, we took on new land in Isfield, where three acres of brassicas now thrive. Our events space is now alive with laughter and conversation, where we host events that reconnect people with the land that feeds them. We're excited to announce that Field Food are setting up a farm kitchen here on site and they’ll be bringing a new flavour to the nurseries, crafting dishes and products showcasing our produce that will find their way into your boxes and onto your tables. Watch this space!

Our Roots Are Your Roots

So here we are, a farm still growing, still learning, still guided by the same values that began it all: respect for the land, care for the community and a deep belief that good food connects us all.

A huge thank you for being part of this story and for choosing local, organic, real food. Every box you open carries not just vegetables, but the hands, hopes and hard work of everyone who tends this soil.