Case Study: Hilltown Organics, West Devon
About the farm
Hilltown Organics is an organic fruit and vegetable farm in West Devon, run by Sara Melendro and her partner Martin. They have been farming the land for over 15 years, growing food across 25 acres using agroforestry methods, where vegetables are grown between rows of trees.
Most of the farm’s produce is sold locally. Around 90% is sold through a farm shop in Okehampton, Harvest Workers Co‑op, which Sara and Martin co‑own. The farm also sells through the Good Food Loop, a not‑for‑profit network that connects local producers with businesses across the area through an online ordering system. This system helps reduce food waste and makes it easier for customers to buy a wide range of seasonal and unusual produce.
With a strong customer base already in place, Sara wanted to explore ways to diversify the business and make better use of the farm’s trees and woodland.
Client’s Goals:
Sara’s idea was to develop a log grown mushroom enterprise alongside the existing vegetable business. She had already been growing mushrooms on a small scale for several years and knew there was demand through the farm shop and local customers.
- Create a new income stream from growing gourmet mushrooms
- Use a low plastic, environmentally friendly growing system
- Make good use of existing trees and woodland on the farm
- Build a business that could be managed alongside vegetable growing over the long term
Support received
Through the Agri Support & Innovation programme, Sara received ongoing advice to help her turn her idea into a practical business plan.
Early support focused on reviewing her current farm business and looking in detail at what would be needed to grow mushrooms at a commercial scale. This included advice on sourcing and handling logs, managing different stages of mushroom growth, reducing risks from pests and contamination, and understanding the labour and infrastructure required.
Specialist support was then provided by 42 Acres, a Somerset based organisation with experience in mushroom production. This helped Sara develop a clear plan for how many logs to use, how production could be spread across the season, and how mushrooms could be sold at a price that reflects the time and care involved in growing them.
Programme funding was also used to purchase essential equipment, including a lightweight chainsaw, hand saws and safety equipment. This allows Sara to safely manage trees and prepare logs on the farm, rather than relying on contractors, making the system more efficient and affordable.
Alongside this, adviser support also covered wider business topics such as carbon auditing, funding options, and agri-environmental schemes, helping Sara plan for the future of the whole farm.
What has changed
As a result of the support, Sara now has a clear, step-by-step plan for developing a log grown mushroom enterprise that fits well with the rest of the farm business.
She has a better understanding of the practical and financial requirements of mushroom production, the equipment needed, and how to link production with existing local markets. The specialist advice has helped her refine her plans and avoid costly mistakes at an early stage.
Hilltown Organics is now well placed to expand its range of locally produced food, strengthen short supply chains, and make even better use of its agroforestry system, while continuing to farm in a way that supports wildlife and the local environment.
Client’s comments:
“Getting an experienced grower to help me design my system has been super helpful and has given me the confidence I needed to scale up. The team from the Agri-innovation scheme have also offered fantastic business advice to go along with the technical support. Thank you! I have just inoculated another 100 logs and I’m looking forward to increasing my mushroom production.”
Sara Melendro, Hilltown Organics