Our Farming Ethos

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Before we even moved to our farm, we began the journey to becoming certified organic.

We purchased our land in 2015 and chose to put the farm "in conversion" in 2018, a year before we moved here in 2019. We had been managing the farm organically since we purchased it, and this period allowed us to gain certification whilst we were still living in the city. We gained certification in December 2019.

over the years, we've debated whether we keep our certification.

Not because we would ever revert to chemical sprays or synthetic fertilisers, but because we wondered if our customers truly cared. Whether or not we remain certified, our farming practices will always be organic - that will never change.

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a survival of the fittest approach

With Ashby as the sole farmer, we've developed a "survival of the fittest" ethos. This approach ensures that only the plants and crops that are truly suited to our micro-climate flourish. It's an honest and effective way to farm that works with nature, not against it.

We use a specific mineral blend fertiliser developed for our soil, blended by Soil Dynamics. This fertiliser focuses on feeding the soil’s microbiology, which in turn allows the plants to select the nutrients they need (how clever are plants!). We believe this is a more sustainable approach than conventional fertilisers (even some certified organic fertilisers) that only feed the plant, often at the expense of long-term soil health.

From Vegetables to Medicinal Herbs

we stopped using organic pesticides in late 2020.

We choose to accept some losses, strategically plant for beneficial insects, and work with the seasons.

For example, we avoid planting brassicas (broccoli etc) in December to avoid the diamondback moth. This natural approach became even easier when we transitioned from growing vegetables to predominantly medicinal herbs. We found that these crops require less intensive watering, fertilising, and pest control. Our fertiliser application was reduced by 80% when comparing vegetables with medicinal herb required inputs.

Our farming practices are driven by a commitment to the health of our soil, our planet, and our customers.

We firmly believe that the chemicals used in conventional farming (chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilisers etc) negatively impact soil health, biodiversity, and human well-being. This is why we choose to farm organically, now and into the future.

The annual audit process, while often tedious, is worth it for the peace of mind it provides to you, our customers.

We believe in being transparent and honest, and that's a core part of our ethos.

All our herbal teas are certified organic, and we utilise only the herbs we grow on our farm. Our oil extracts utilise a high-quality MCT oil made from organically grown coconuts. While this MCT oil is not certified, we've chosen it to keep our products accessible and affordable for everyone.

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