Strength, resilience and determination

Having set off to study agriculture and business management at the University of Reading, his father’s unfortunate accident in the first month of term saw George return to Devon, giving him sooner-than-expected direct involvement in the family business.

Coincidentally, going back a generation, Jilly and Ed also returned to manage the family business in the Exe Valley flood plain due to her late father’s ill health. Jilly and Ed continued to farm in the same conventional way, pushing hard for yield in both the beef and arable business with a heavy reliance on inputs.

Transformation to a sustainable farm system

After completing his degree and by now a full-time business partner, George began transforming the mixed 600-acre farm of suckler beef and arable from a high input, high output production system to a soil-focused regenerative business model.

With crop-growing fields in depleted soil condition, the first goal was to minimise soil disturbance and build natural fertility by increasing organic matter through the 320-head suckler beef herd, while also reducing reliance on artificial inputs.

This has resulted in the full integration of the beef and arable operations by using deep-rooted herbal leys, rotational mob grazing and growing wheats for the South West stoneground flour market. An extensive mid-tier Countryside Stewardship scheme has also significantly increased amber-listed bird species through increased hedgerow habitat, winter bird food field margins and leaving former orchards on old river terraces to partly rewild.

Building on their decade-long regenerative approach, the subsequent transition to becoming fully organic was a natural progression to achieve premium contracts. Bread and pasta wheats for South West artisan bakeries, under the True South West Flour brand, are grown through a collaborative partnership between the South West Grain Network and NR Stoate & Sons of Canns Mill near Shaftesbury. The beef cattle go to ABP at Sturminster Newton in an organic contract for Sainsbury’s which rewards breeder-finishers.

The Greeds are also keen collaborators, working to promote sustainable farming practices by replanting and restoring traditional orchards with Find & Foster cider makers Mat & Polly Hilton and enabling local beekeeper Michael Symons to breed varroa-resistant bees.

Now in its 15^th year, Jilly is also co-founder of the successful Great British Beef Week, championed by Ladies in Beef and their collaborative partners AHDB, NFU, Red Tractor and the RABI.

Increased income streams

Diversification of redundant Victorian farm buildings no longer suitable for grain or livestock has created modern professional offices at Fortescue Court to underpin financial stability. Housing local family businesses, the tenants love the green space and take an keen interest in farm activities.

Meanwhile George and his wife Charlotte have built and launched a high-end letting cabin, Over the River, capitalising on the natural beauty of the farm, with plans for a second. 

As well as the office tenants and holiday guests, community visits are very much welcomed.  Visitors include local primary school children, farm advisory groups such as Precision Grazing, artisan bakers and growers from the South West Grain Network and fly-fishing enthusiasts led by the Devon School of Fly Fishing.

Asked about bringing the next generation into the family business successfully, Jilly said: “From an early stage in the partnership, we gave George entrepreneurial opportunity and continue to support his innovative new projects and efficiency drive. We’re very fortunate to have a hardworking team here to make it all happen, particularly our assistant farm manager Robert Jones who is a great machinery innovator and fabricator.”

Jilly and Ed both admit learning from the younger generation. “We’ve been workaholics at times just like my late father and mother, but a good work/life balance is critical in farming, particularly when you have a young family like George and Charlotte. Although a bit late in life, we’re now trying to do the same but sometimes it’s easier said than done!”

Image: (Jilly, Ed and George Greed)

Caption: Ed, George and Jilly Greed

Image credit: Millie Pilkington & Country Life Magazine