Case Study: Smallacombe Farm, Teignbridge
About the farm
Smallacombe Farm is run by Ross and Ginny Thomson in Teignbridge. The farm focuses on rearing goats outdoors and producing raw goat milk, alongside keeping sheep and poultry.
The goat milk business has grown quickly in recent years, with strong demand from customers buying directly through an online shop. There is currently a waiting list for products.
Ross and Ginny place a strong emphasis on milk quality, animal welfare and herd health. They are also developing their herd through selective breeding to improve natural resilience to disease, helping to reduce the need for treatments.
As the business has expanded, they have taken on a mix of full-time and part-time staff, mostly from the local area. The farm has now reached a stage where more formal planning and systems are needed to support further growth.
Client’s goals
Ross and Ginny wanted to grow their business in a planned and sustainable way.
In the short term, they aimed to increase milk production. In the longer term, they want to become a leading supplier of goat milk in the UK.
Their main aims were to:
- Develop a clearer and more structured business plan
- Review housing, equipment and grazing needs
- Address staffing and day-to-day management challenges
- Maintain high standards of milk quality and animal welfare as the business grows
Support received
Through the Agri Innovation Programme, Ross and Ginny received support to review their business and plan the next stage of development.
Initial discussions looked at how the farm currently operates, including grazing, staffing, and the capacity of existing buildings and equipment. This helped identify areas where changes or investment may be needed.
Funding was then used to bring in specialist business consultancy support. This provided a detailed review of the business, including finances, pricing, staffing and options for future expansion.
The consultancy helped Ross and Ginny move from relying mainly on instinct to making more informed, evidence-based decisions.
Alongside this, advice was provided on future infrastructure needs, such as housing for the goats and facilities for milking and processing. The focus was on flexible solutions that would support growth without limiting future plans.
What has changed
As a result of the programme, Ross and Ginny now have a clearer understanding of how their business is performing and what is needed to support future growth.
They have more confidence in decisions around pricing, staffing and investment, based on a stronger understanding of the business.
Overall, the support has helped them take a more structured and forward-looking approach. Smallacombe Farm is now better placed to grow in a way that maintains its strong focus on quality, animal welfare and long-term sustainability.
Our next case study is of Warleigh Barton Farm in the South Hams. Read Katherine’s story here