{"id":5771,"date":"2026-05-19T11:57:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T10:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/?page_id=5771"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:51:29","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:51:29","slug":"ukspf-agri-innovation-case-studies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/business-support\/completed-business-support-projects\/ukspf-agri-innovation-case-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"UKSPF Agri Innovation case studies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5780 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-800x600.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-1536x1153.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-640x480.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-320x240.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674-420x315.jpeg 420w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/05\/WA_1778268678674.jpeg 1599w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Case Study:\u00a0<\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yollaberry\u00a0Farm, West Devon<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About the farm<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yollaberry\u00a0Farm is a new market garden in West Devon, run by\u00a0Jen and Paul Howarth. They are experienced growers who have recently set up a new farming business on 9.5 acres of land spread across three fields.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The farm is being developed carefully and in stages. One sheltered field is planned for growing vegetables, another will be planted with fruit and nut trees as part of a\u00a0community focused\u00a0growing space, and a third, steeper field will be managed\u00a0mainly for\u00a0wildlife and biodiversity.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From the beginning, Jen and Paul wanted to farm in a way that looks after the soil, supports\u00a0wildlife\u00a0and shares knowledge with others, while also building a business that can provide a reliable income.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Client\u2019s\u00a0Goals:<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jen and Paul\u2019s aim was to create a successful market garden that produces healthy food while also\u00a0benefiting\u00a0the local environment and community<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Grow vegetables and seeds using regenerative farming methods<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Improve soil health from the outset<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Put the right infrastructure in place, including polytunnels and storage<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Build strong links with the local community and support local food supply<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Support received<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through the Agri Innovation Programme, Jen and Paul received adviser support to help shape their plans and\u00a0identify\u00a0practical next steps.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This included visits to the farm to look at the land in detail and talk through issues such as water flow, soil condition, field layout, infrastructure\u00a0placement\u00a0and\u00a0possible routes\u00a0to market. The advice helped them prioritise actions and make decisions that fit the land and their\u00a0long-term\u00a0aims.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Specialist soil testing was also funded using two different approaches. One set of tests looked at nutrients, organic matter, soil\u00a0structure\u00a0and pH, while a second focused on the biological health of the soil. Together, these results showed that the soil was\u00a0generally in\u00a0good condition, but that some nutrients and beneficial soil fungi were limited.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Based on the findings, practical recommendations were made to improve soil health over time. These included making compost on site, reducing soil compaction, and using planting methods that help crops access water and nutrients more effectively. Funding was also used to\u00a0purchase\u00a0specialist equipment to support these improvements from the start.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Additional\u00a0support was provided around funding opportunities and the planning process, including preparing a detailed letter to support applications for polytunnels and a storage building.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What has changed<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As a result of the programme, Jen and Paul now have a clear understanding of their soil and how to manage it to support healthy crops and\u00a0long-term\u00a0resilience. The soil testing has given them confidence in their approach and directly influenced how they are preparing beds,\u00a0composting\u00a0and planting.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The support has also helped them navigate planning and infrastructure decisions and take a more structured approach to setting up the business. With the groundwork now in place,\u00a0Yollaberry\u00a0Farm is ready to move from planning into action.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The farm is being developed with strong foundations for a market garden that produces food, supports wildlife, and provides benefits for the local community, while remaining financially sustainable.<span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Client comments:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt&#8217;s\u00a0been\u00a0very supportive\u00a0to have the soil tests\u00a0funded;\u00a0we really wanted them but may have struggled to prioritise paying for them ourselves with all the other outgoings involved in setting up this new venture.<\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We spent yesterday marking out beds and planting the beginnings of an edible shelter belt \ud83d\ude0a\u201d<\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jen Howarth,\u00a0Yollaberry\u00a0Farm<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Want to learn more about Devon&#8217;s Farmers? Read Sara&#8217;s story<a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/business-support\/completed-business-support-projects\/ukspf-agri-innovation-case-studies\/agri-innovation-case-studies-25-26\/\"> here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Case Study:\u00a0Yollaberry\u00a0Farm, West Devon\u00a0 About the farm\u00a0 Yollaberry\u00a0Farm is a new market garden in West Devon, run by\u00a0Jen and Paul Howarth. They are experienced growers who have recently set up a new farming business on 9.5 acres of land spread &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/business-support\/completed-business-support-projects\/ukspf-agri-innovation-case-studies\/\" aria-label=\"Continue reading UKSPF Agri Innovation case studies\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2917,"featured_media":0,"parent":4025,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5771","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-13 00:27:20","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2917"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5771"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5798,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5771\/revisions\/5798"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}