{"id":5804,"date":"2026-06-24T14:49:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:49:37","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\/smallacombe-farm-teignbridge-case-study\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T14:00:57","slug":"smallacombe-farm-teignbridge-case-study","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\/smallacombe-farm-teignbridge-case-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Smallacombe Farm, Teignbridge Case study"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5806 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/06\/maxime-agnelli-bhD6TGRjnWc-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"picture of a goat in a field\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/06\/maxime-agnelli-bhD6TGRjnWc-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/06\/maxime-agnelli-bhD6TGRjnWc-unsplash-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/06\/maxime-agnelli-bhD6TGRjnWc-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/06\/maxime-agnelli-bhD6TGRjnWc-unsplash-640x960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2026\/06\/maxime-agnelli-bhD6TGRjnWc-unsplash.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Case Study:<\/b> Smallacombe Farm, Teignbridge<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About the farm<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ross and Ginny place a strong emphasis on milk quality, animal\u00a0welfare\u00a0and herd health. They are also developing their herd through selective breeding to improve natural resilience to disease, helping to reduce the need for treatments.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Client\u2019s goals<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ross and Ginny wanted to grow their business in a planned and sustainable way.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Their main aims were to:<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" 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;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Develop a clearer and more structured business plan<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" 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;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Review housing,\u00a0equipment\u00a0and grazing needs<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" 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;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Address staffing and day-to-day management challenges<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" 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;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Maintain\u00a0high standards\u00a0of milk quality and animal welfare as the business grows<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Support received<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Through the Agri Innovation Programme, Ross and Ginny received support to review their business and plan the next stage of development.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Initial discussions looked at how the farm currently\u00a0operates, including grazing, staffing, and the\u00a0capacity of existing buildings and equipment. This helped\u00a0identify\u00a0areas where changes or investment may be needed.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Funding was then used to bring in specialist business consultancy support. This provided a detailed review of the business, including finances, pricing,\u00a0staffing\u00a0and options for future expansion.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The consultancy helped Ross and Ginny move from relying\u00a0mainly on\u00a0instinct to making more informed, evidence-based decisions.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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\u00a0future plans.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What has changed<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They have more confidence in decisions around pricing, staffing and investment, based on a stronger understanding of the business.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:210,&quot;335559739&quot;:210,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">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\u00a0maintains\u00a0its strong focus on quality, animal\u00a0welfare\u00a0and long-term sustainability.<b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n\n<p>Our next case study is of Warleigh Barton Farm in the South Hams. Read Katherine&#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\/smallacombe-farm-teignbridge-case-study\/warleigh-barton-farm-south-hams-case-study\/\">here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Case Study: Smallacombe Farm, Teignbridge About the farm\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The goat milk business &hellip; <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\/smallacombe-farm-teignbridge-case-study\/\" aria-label=\"Continue reading Smallacombe Farm, Teignbridge Case study\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2917,"featured_media":0,"parent":5791,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5804","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-30 18:40:46","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\/5804","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=5804"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5815,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5804\/revisions\/5815"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}