Introduction
Generations
of Farmers
The Howards have been farming at Little Morton since 1888. From our early days as tenants on the Duke of Newcastle's Clumber Estate we have grown into a diverse rural family business, providing food and renewable energy. Please take a look around our website and get in touch to find out more.
What we do
Farming is at the core of our business. Whether it's our own family farm, on rented land or land contract farmed for others, we are committed to sustainable, traditional food production.
It is important that food is produced on the most suitable land. We grow a wide range of crops including Chantenay carrots, parsnips and cereals. Outdoor-reared, grass-fed cattle are also produced in a whole-farm crop rotation designed to naturally replenish nutrients and improve soil fertility. We supply all our fresh produce to Fresh Growers limited, the local farming co-operative of which we are founder members.
Little Morton farm is also host to a 14.3 MW solar farm which generates enough green energy for 4700 homes. The family also runs a hill farm near Ambleside in the Lake District which is home to our holiday cottage business, Grove Cottages.
How we do it
We work within a modern business structure using some very old fashioned ideas and farming techniques that have been proven over the decades.
Our working methods are designed to integrate with nature by increasing the diversity of soil flora and fauna. This in turn leads to an efficient and healthy animal and crop production system.
Contract Farming
As well as farming our own land, we manage other land through contract and rental agreements. We have the experience and resources to manage a single field to a whole farm.
If you are an investor looking for a land management solution or a farmer wishing to retire but retain your land, we offer management agreements to provide a practical solution. We have a very broad range of experience across our team that covers everything from specialist vegetable production to beef and dairy. Maintaining farm records and ensuring compliance for BPS is also taken care of.
Carrot Land Required
We grow Chantenay Carrots across seven counties throughout the Midlands and East Anglia and are always on a nationwide lookout to rent suitable land with irrigation.
All our harvesting operations are undertaken with our own specialist low ground pressure self-propelled harvesters and bespoke crop forwarding rig causing minimal soil disturbance. Opportunities for farmers to spray and irrigate crops on a contract basis are also available dependent on field location. Arrangements are flexible according to the production period and we offer top rates for quality land.
Please get in touch - we would be delighted to have the opportunity to show you round our operation and discuss the mutual benefits of growing carrots on your land.
Trevor Needham
Director and General Farm Manager dealing with all farm staff as well as arable crop sales and input purchasing
Tel: 07983 458 406
Andrew Howard
Director overseeing office administration and farm record keeping.
Tel: 07885 476 880
Joe Howard
Director heading up the Chantenay carrot and livestock enterprises. For carrot land enquiries please get in touch with Joe.
Tel: 07793 494 720
Ian Bower
Technical Manager oversees all aspects of our Chantenay carrot and parsnip production, from drilling to harvesting and liaising with land owners.
Tel: 07983 458 378Links
The Co-operative Producer Organisation markets all of our vegetable produce, and also provides technical information on crop production.
We are active supporters of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), a charity body that promotes the benefits of Integrated Farm Management.
We also operate Grove Cottages; high quality, self-catering accommodation in a stunning location on Grove Farm near Ambleside in the Lake District.
The Chantenay website is packed full of information about our traditional flavoursome baby carrots. Here you will find nutritional information, where to buy, and some exiting recipe ideas.
