About Us

• Hallwood Farm has 90 acres of south facing land just outside the village of Petrockstowe.
• A history of growing vegetables for the Supermarkets has given us the expertise to supply this local market.
• ICM* principles underpin our growing activities.
• Very keen interest in environmentally sympathetic farming and reducing food miles.

*ICM – Integrated Crop Management, reducing the need for pesticides by encouraging predators.

I.C.M.
Integrated Crop Management
at Hallwood Farm
Petrockstowe

Sunflower attracts Hoverflies	Carrot Fly Trap

• Previous farming activities in Kent serving the supermarkets
• Customers included; ASDA , Safeway's, Sainsbury's, Somerfields, Tesco, M+S, Waitrose, ALDI, Lidl and the Co-op.
• 5 Million cabbage grown and packed for Supermarkets, per year.
• 15 Million Spring Onions (who on earth ate them all!)
• Pressures from Supermarkets means that growers tend to go for high yield instead of flavour.

an example of a computer based pest prediction system that we used to reduce pesticide inputs

• Serve the real customer.
• Reduce washing and packaging.
• From Field to Plate in less than a day.
• Use old fashioned varieties with real flavour.
• Natural fertiliser, slower growing with better texture.
• A chance to educate the younger generation with farm walks.
• A minimal use of pesticides (less cosmetics), only when really necessary.
• Link in with Govt "Higher Level Scheme", being paid for conservation measures previously done off our own bat.

The benefit to our customers

• Really fresh food.
• Traceable produce.
• Reduced food miles.
• Reduced chemical inputs wherever possible.
• Interactive school visits to see crops being grown.
• Full crop records available for interest and confidence.
• Less going to Devons landfill by using returnable trays and reduced packaging.
• Retaining the vitamins and flavour often lost in preparation and transport.