50 Years of Harvest
This year, the Buckle family will be celebrating their 50th year of harvest with plenty of country music and their own home-grown Mauldons beer! It all began when James Buckle’s parents, owners of Heathpatch Ltd, moved to Suffolk in 1974. There, they were able to collaborate with neighbouring farms and begin a chain of innovation that still continues today.
Phenomenal change has occurred over these years, demanding continuous flexibility.
UK weather has become less and less predictable, resulting in flash floods or drought causing heat that poses a huge challenge for all farmers alike. However, with 50 years of experience, the Buckle family has been able to build upon previous experiences. Since June 1, 2021, their arable land has been farmed through a joint venture between Heathpatch and A J Pratt and Sons, via Brett Vale Farming Company Limited. This joint venture combines years of knowledge, expertise, and machinery to provide high-quality contract farming services to the shareholders’ land and their clients.
Additionally, Charlie Buckle’s company, Nedging Hall Estate, a subsidiary of Heathpatch, has pushed their sustainability and environmental awareness further. Built upon their ‘Estate-to-Plate’ ethos, The Bildeston Crown restaurant ensures that the food it serves is local, most significantly from their own gardens. Fresh produce is delivered to The Bildeston Crown’s kitchens from just down the road at Nedging Hall, providing fruit such as plums, pears, and apples, and vegetables including asparagus, onions, kale, leeks, rainbow chard, wild garlic, and every herb imaginable! The list goes on, and there the produce is transformed into delectable meals that appear on their seasonal menu. It is here that the Buckle family’s dedication to environmental preservation is affirmed as Charlie oversees every step of the production process, acquiring the trust of both producers and customers.
The development of technology has also been a prominent influence on farming. Suffolk Punch horses have been retired as a variety of modern equipment gives them a well-deserved rest after the years of service they have provided farmers for generations. Now, with 3,500 acres of the Buckle’s estate being used for growing combinable crops, and the demand for food ever increasing, this change was a welcome one.
The rare Suffolk Punch horses now live in the Nedging Hall Stables, where the endangered breed is cared for and nurtured.
The Buckle family is proud to be a significant part of the agricultural excellence of Suffolk and its community for so long. Despite all the changes that have occurred, this is one thing that will never be forgotten, as they continue to support the local area. They provide crucial crops from wheat to beans, oilseed rape to sugar beet, and maize to rye, but also offer an irreplaceable service to Suffolk County.