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On Thursday 23 July, members of our Agriculture & Estates Team travelled to Bromeswell, in Suffolk, to visit James Foskett Farms and Foskett Willows.
James Foskett Farms is a long-established family business, comprising a total cropping area of 1105 hectares. This is a mixture of owned and contracted farmland, tenancies and cropping licences. The farm produces conventional and organic vegetables and combinable crops for anaerobic digestion, within around a 35-mile radius of the farm.
Having won the Suffolk Farming Award for Best Farming Business over 501 hectares in 2025, followed by the National Arable and Grassland Award for Organic Carrot Grower of the Year in 2026, we were keen to discover what had made the business such a multi-award-winning success.
James Foskett provided an insightful overview of the farm’s history, beginning with his parents’ purchase of 180 acres in 1955, continuing through his own tenure, and culminating in the next generation with his daughter, Jess, joining the business in 2024.
James explained that as he had no buildings to utilise for farm diversification, he’d diversified within the crops they grew and how they grew them and the organic specialism was born around 20 years ago, with more fields being converted over to organic production each year.
Stepping outside, we were able to fully appreciate the farm’s impressive, state-of-the-art facilities. James spoke about the importance of the guidance he had received from Scrutton Bland and other professional advisers in shaping investment and funding decisions over the years. Those investments have created facilities that are integral to every stage of the growing and production process, helping the farm produce crops of the highest quality.
Excellent organisation and communication were clear from the outset. From planning, planting and crop care through to harvest, processing, packing and distribution, it was clear that up-to-date technology, a dedicated workforce and rigorous quality control processes all play a vital role in ensuring produce consistently meets the highest standards.
James employs a dedicated core team of full-time staff, with additional seasonal workers joining during busier periods. Notably, around 70% of these seasonal staff return each year, a testament to the farm’s strong management approach and its commitment to creating a positive and rewarding working environment.
A strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship was apparent throughout the farm. From investing in machinery designed to protect and enhance soil health to engaging in environmental schemes, James has embraced practices that balance productive farming with conservation. The results were clear to see, with the farm providing a haven for wildlife, including Egyptian geese, numerous species of butterflies and moths, as well as damselflies, dragonflies and many other water birds.
Our visit continued with an introduction to Guy Foskett, owner of Foskett Willows. Guy explained how land that may not be suitable for traditional arable crops can be successfully utilised for growing willow, creating an effective diversification opportunity for farmers. He also spoke about the unique qualities of English willow, which is widely recognised as the preferred timber for cricket bat production. Consequently, much of the willow harvested in the UK is exported to supply cricket bat manufacturers around the world.
To bring the process to life, Guy selected and felled a willow tree, allowing us to follow its journey from standing timber to cricket bat cleft. Returning to the timber yard, we watched as the clefts were carefully marked out, sawn and shaped before being transferred to the kilns for drying, then being graded and eventually exported.
Bark and offcuts are retained to fuel the kilns, ensuring that very little material goes to waste and demonstrating a thoughtful approach to resource management. This commitment to sustainability has earned Guy recognition through a Best Green Practice Award.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative visit, providing a valuable opportunity to see first-hand the passion, innovation and commitment that have contributed to the success of both businesses. We are extremely grateful to James, Guy and their teams for taking the time to share their knowledge and experience and for giving us such a warm welcome. We left with a greater appreciation of the challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture, as well as the dedication required to produce high-quality crops and products in a sustainable way.
Hear how we support James Foskett and the team at James Foskett Farms
“Scrutton Bland have supported us through every stage of the farm’s growth -from major investment decisions to the day-to-day financial detail. What sets them apart is that they take the time to properly understand the business, not just the numbers behind it. Their advice has been invaluable in helping us to be a successful business and to plan with confidence for the future.”
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