{"id":5791,"date":"2026-06-10T10:44:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/business-support\/completed-business-support-projects\/ukspf-agri-innovation-case-studies\/agri-innovation-case-studies-25-26\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:49:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T09:49:48","slug":"agri-innovation-case-studies-25-26","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/business-support\/completed-business-support-projects\/ukspf-agri-innovation-case-studies\/agri-innovation-case-studies-25-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Agri Innovation Case Studies 25\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"

Case Study:\u00a0<\/b>Hilltown Organics, West Devon\"Sara<\/p>\n

About the farm<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most of the farm\u2019s produce is sold locally. Around 90% is sold through a farm shop in Okehampton, Harvest Workers\u00a0Co\u2011op, which Sara and Martin\u00a0co\u2011own. The farm also sells through the Good Food Loop, a\u00a0not\u2011for\u2011profit\u00a0network 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With a strong customer base already in place, Sara wanted to explore ways to diversify the business and make better use of the farm\u2019s trees and woodland.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Client\u2019s Goals:<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sara\u2019s idea was to develop a\u00a0log grown\u00a0mushroom 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n