Springwater Farm
We visited Amelia and Jason at their organic farm on the Killerton Estate.
As we know, Devon is mostly countryside. Rolling hills, miles of hedgerows, rivers and streams. But the countryside’s main component: farmland. Agriculture and food production makes up 13% of the county’s income, compared to the national average of 7.6%, so there is no hiding from the fact that the farms are the primary cog in the machine that is rural life.
Farming is getting a bad rep though. The mainstream media and financially focussed elites are doing their very best to create a narrative that tells us that farming and eating meat are the leading problems when it comes to ‘climate change’ and the future of the planet.
As with anything, it’s always wise to dig a little deeper, carry out your own research and not necessarily trust what you’re being told. So, we took a trip to a local organic farm, located on the National Trust Killerton Estate, to meet tenant farmers Jason and Amelia and hear about their approach and how they’re focussing on nurturing the land to leave it in a better place for generations to come.
“We want to connect consumers with the produce that they’re eating.”
On the farm they slow grow Highland cattle and Mangalitza pigs. These are two extremely suitable breeds of animal for the landscape across the 1000 acres. Incorporating agroforestry and wetland conservation grazing, these breeds are lightweight, meaning the ground remains undamaged, ensuring biodiversity can flourish.
Although already certified organic and Pasture for Life, Jason and Amelia are passionate about breaking beyond these certification labels to look at even more complex issues. They carry out regular biodiversity surveys and routine soil inspections to monitor the state of the land and confirm that their methods are having the desired positive impact.
Through their farm to fork movement, they want to really make sure consumers are connecting to the food that they’re eating, and why they offer direct sales of their meat. Also, Jason and Amelia host regular farm walks, providing the opportunity for the public to come along and see how they operate and ask questions. This is of real significance. Spreading that knowledge and expertise is imperative in fighting the mainstream misinformation about the industry and the future of the planet.
To follow their journey, and to keep track of future opportunities to visit them at the many events they hold on the farm throughout the year, please do take a look at their Instagram page @springwaterfarm_.
You can also see a short video of our time with Jason, Amelia and their two gorgeous babies on our Instagram page!
Words: Adam Dibble
Photography: @twentytwentyproperty