It’s easy to think of UK farms as perpetually struggling, always fighting against temperamental weather, rising costs, and a challenging global market. You hear the news, and it’s all doom and gloom. But hold onto your wellies, because I’ve found a brilliant family-run farm in the South of England that’s not just succeeding – it’s thriving, thanks to a deep commitment to sustainability and some seriously clever tech. And full disclosure, I only stumbled across their brilliance because Oddbox mentioned them in one of the little newsletters they include with every delivery of rescued fruit and veg – so thank you for that great tip, Oddbox!

Barfoots, who’ve been farming since 1976, embody a guiding philosophy: “Look after the land like you are going to farm forever.” This isn’t just a quaint saying; it’s the foundation of a modern, efficient, and profitable business model. They’ve cracked the code on reducing waste, generating their own power, and ensuring their land stays healthy for generations to come.

Energy Independence: Turning Waste into Power 💡

The jewel in Barfoots’ crown is their on-site Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant, or biodigester. This isn’t just a quirky addition; it’s the heart of their energy independence.

Instead of sending vegetable waste – like the sweetcorn husks and chopped ends from their processing factory – to landfill, they feed it into the massive, sealed tanks of the biodigester. Inside, natural micro-organisms break down the organic matter without oxygen, a process that creates biogas.

This biogas is then captured and used to power combined heat and power (CHP) generators. The result? Barfoots produces more than double the electricity they need to run their entire factory and offices! They’re entirely self-sufficient in green energy, and the surplus is even sold back to the National Grid, essentially helping to power local homes. This whole system drastically cuts down on their carbon footprint and eliminates thousands of lorry journeys that would otherwise be needed to haul waste off-site.

The Sweetcorn Circle: Waste to Organic Fertiliser 🌾

The biodigester isn’t just a powerhouse; it’s also a recycling genius. What comes out of the AD plant after the gas is extracted is a nutrient-rich, organic by-product called digestate.

Barfoots separates this digestate into liquid and solid components. Critically, this material is packed with essential plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In short, their sweetcorn husks are turned directly into a high-quality, organic fertiliser! This fertiliser is then applied back onto their fields to grow the next harvest of sweetcorn and other vegetables.

This “circular economy” approach allows them to use significantly less conventional, artificial fertiliser. It closes the loop, keeps their soil healthy, and provides a sustainable, homegrown solution for crop nutrition.

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Growing What Works for the South Coast 🥕

Barfoots understands that successful farming isn’t about forcing foreign crops into the UK climate. Instead, they focus on using the unique micro-climate of the South of England (Hampshire and West Sussex, mainly) to their advantage.

The warm soil and high light levels are perfectly suited for growing a variety of crops, including their specialities:

  • Sweetcorn 🌽
  • Asparagus
  • Courgettes
  • Tenderstem® broccoli

Their commitment extends beyond just planting. They are also pioneers in water conservation, having invested in a water treatment plant that cleans all their factory wastewater, converting it back into irrigation water for their crops. They are committed to Environmental Stewardship and Biodiversity Net Gain, ensuring that the land they farm is left in better condition than they found it.

In a world increasingly concerned with environmental impact, Barfoots is a shining example that sustainability and business success aren’t mutually exclusive. They show that by looking at waste as a resource and investing in smart technology, UK agriculture can be a global leader in green, efficient farming. They are truly farming for forever.