The Edwards family first began farming in Lincolnshire in the 1700’s. Many of the traditional farming methods currently employed by New Farm Organics have been passed on through the generations, from father to son. It is this rich heritage and experience that has been fundamental to New Farm Organics’ success in pioneering the growth of UK organic farming. New Farm Organics consists of two farms. One of them has been free of pesticides and artificial fertilisers since the 1800’s, with both becoming officially organic in 1988.
New Farm’s respect for traditional farming methods has naturally led to the environmental awareness of everyone involved, who see this as critical to the success of organic farming and the maintenance of good natural soil quality and growing conditions. The land is now a haven for wildlife. Very large old hedges provide shelter and food for many species of birds and mammals. With advice from the local Farming Wildlife Advisory Group, forty acres of land has been taken out of arable production and returned to pastureland with ponds and ‘scrapes’ for the birds. (Scrapes are shallow depressions with gently sloping edges, which seasonally hold water. They create wet features that are very attractive to wildlife; supporting a wide variety of invertebrates and providing important feeding areas for breeding wading birds and their chicks.) Hedges have been planted and wild flower seed sown in the grassland. Roe and fallow deer can be seen usually early morning or at dusk along with muntjac, hares and the occasional fox, as well as water voles and thousands of frogs and toads.
Managed by Will Edwards and his brother Rob, New Farm supplies Unicorn with some outstanding summer broccoli and cauliflowers, followed up by some hearty red and white cabbages, primo cabbage, swede, and celeriac heading into the autumn.
