Our Farms

Luke’s farm at Herons Green overlooks the beautiful Chew Valley Lake. His family have farmed in the area for over 100 years. In fact they used to farm two other farms Denny Farm and Spring Farm that are now underneath the lake! Luke’s Mother and Father, Sandra and Martin farmed at Herons Green for 30 years before Martin died in 2003 and Sandra in 2007. Luke took over the farm and switched to full organic beef production with a strong herd of North and South Devon

Luke on Herons Green: “There is a lot to see here, we grow all our own silage and are completely self sufficient for the cattle to enjoy enough food in the winter. This is important because we know exactly where it comes from and we are reducing pollution in transport. We have planted 40 acres of native broadleaf trees creating a stunning forest overlooking Chew Valley Lake which encourages new wildlife spotting barn owls and many deers.”

Woodbarn Farm was Luke's Grandparents family farm where they ran their diary herd until they ceased milking in 1988. The fertile land then subsequently became arable farm until 2003 until Luke converted it to Organic production, co-founded the Community Farm and established the home of the locally renowned Valley Fest.

The Community Farm CIC was born in 2009 and is a social enterprise which aims to change the way people relate to their food. A great chance for people to be part of the next generation of farm owners. A variety of farmer day workshops, apprenticeship programs, volunteer networks and other festivities and events that creates a truely social cohesion around our most essential need: FOOD.

Leigh Woods has historic wood-pasture with some open grassland and old pollards present. The introduction of cattle has been a massive success in returning Leigh woods to a wood pasture habitat and also to help the presentation of Stokeleigh camp hillfort, where the National Trust are clearing trees from the hill fort and returning it to its former glory. We have introduced our native North Devon cattle to the area and they are doing a great job grazing to keep open glades, rides and the views across Bristol’s famous suspension bridge. Greater horseshoe bats are also present in the Avon Gorge and they benefit from the cattle dung.

Court Farm was the first Organic registered farm in Somerset. Jim’s father John farmed biodynamically from day one, I guess you could say he was a bit of a pioneer. That means for almost four decades there have been no artificial fertilisers, herbicides or other chemical sprays applied to the land. At Court Farm you can expect to see a huge range of wildlife and plants because of the rich diversity that farming in this way brings. We have spotted breeding hares, owls, badgers, partridges and rare bats, we have a bee hives, beetles and bugs. We know we are providing havens and hunting grounds in many forms and have recently added a small woodland to the holding. The hedgerows have been replanted and are another critical habitat for wildlife, preforming many functions and providing many benefits. Court farm is our home for all the weaned calves, they spend a year or more here where they thrive on their native diet of pasture and hay, to help produce the most delicious tender meat.