Last autumn, Regather Farm faced significant challenges that tested our resilience and commitment to providing local, organic produce. Financially, our model was strained—we were spending more on growing our vegetables than it would have cost to purchase from other suppliers. Despite knowing that locally-grown produce is crucial to our customers, the numbers simply didn’t add up.

As a team, we had to reassess our approach and make difficult decisions to secure the farm’s future. This process led to reduced staff hours, and Dave, one of our dedicated team members, took voluntary redundancy. The prospect of managing the 2024 season seemed daunting, with Doug and Abigail working on significantly reduced hours during the winter, forcing them to prioritise and make tough decisions about what tasks could be accomplished.

Our farm operates on a 15-acre site, though we actively farm only about a quarter of that land. The large site presents unique challenges and demands on our time, unlike smaller operations. To add to our difficulties, we endured one of the worst winters on record, with relentless rain testing our resolve.

Despite these obstacles, Doug and Abigail have risen to the occasion, adapting to the new reality with a focus on efficiency and impact. There’s a renewed approach on the farm—every task must be worthwhile. For instance, when we realised in mid-July that about 85% of our squash plants had been devastated by slugs, and it was too late to replant, resulting in the loss of a significant crop. While this was disheartening, the team quickly redirected their energy towards nurturing other crops. In the past, we might have spent precious time trying to save the remnants or considering last-minute plantings with little chance of success. Now, a failed crop simply means more time for other crucial tasks.

Farming is never easy, and the hours spent working the land are fewer this year than in previous seasons. However, we’ve learnt valuable lessons from past years about when our efforts will have the greatest impact. Investing time in spring to get the sowing, cultivation, and planting right has paid off tremendously.

Now in its fifth season, Regather Farm is beginning to reap the benefits of years of hard work and the tough lessons we’ve learnt along the way. This summer, our organic veg boxes are brimming with high-quality produce, much of it grown right here at Regather Farm. Our boxes are filled with fat fennels, beautiful kohlrabi, vibrant chard, and an endless supply of fresh salad greens—all testament to the dedication of our team.

There are still many weeks of harvesting ahead, and while Doug and Abigail are fully immersed in their work, we wanted to take a moment to recognise their incredible efforts. Let’s hope there will be time for a well-deserved break and a few beers in the sun once the harvest is complete—toasting to a year hard won.