In the mid-nineties, it became clear that a different approach was needed.

The advice we were being given by the official bodies on soil nutrition had not altered in over 20 yrs (and largely remains the same today !! ) We decided if we were going to understand the soil we farm we would have to source  different advice and ideas

Our attention was drawn to research carried out in the 1950's by an American, Dr William Albrecht.

His research was carried out initially as a doctor of medicine, when he became aware of the relationship between people's health and the food that they ate. He discovered that in some areas of the U.S. people where healthier than in others, and he concluded this was due to the soil on which their food was grown. He the proceeded to spend the rest of his life studying soils and their fertility.

Today at Howard Farms we send soil samples the USA for analysis. We employ technical advisers here in the UK to help us interpret the results, and we now have a much better understanding of the soil we farm.

The way we cultivate, fertiliser and crop the land has also changed. more...>