Well-Pict Hiller Farms -

Finalist of Soft Fruit Grower of the Year 2008

Hillers Farm has been producing strawberries since the late 1980’s – where the first berries grown were for pick-your-own, which was very popular during the 70’s and 80’s.  Richard Beach, who co-owns the farm along with Martin Seymour, decided that his lovely tasting strawberries, apples and plums should be reaching a wider audience.  In conjunction with Asda a plan was devised to grow more fruit during the traditional season to supply a wider customer base. They have now been supplying strawberries into ASDA for over 10 years. The farm started as a 10 acre plot on the widely renowned Ragley Hall Estate today Hillers is a 330 acre concern growing 146 acres of berries and the rest for English apples and plums all destined for Asda.

This year Hillers have produced 50% more strawberries than last season driven by improved crop husbandry and consumer demand for tasty, flavoursome and juicy strawberries. 2007 saw the first commercially grown raspberries being harvested with both Polka and Brilliance successfully making their way into ASDA stores. The overriding factor in the selection of Hillers as the trial site is the Estates conservation and management of the rural environment programme.  Hillers use a strategy of minimum water and fertilisation techniques in order to lessen the impact on the environment. Also, and as importantly, are the active management of hedgerows and the preservation of the ancient woodlands that surround Hillers and Ragley Hall.

Throughout the UK strawberry season, Hillers supply ASDA with Elsanta, Evie II, Diamonte and Albion varieties, but in 2007 Hillers focused on trialling 15 new varieties.

Along with the developments in varietial selection Hillers also has an engineering division that specialises in producing bespoke equipment for berry growers.

David Thomson and Russell Duggan of Hillers farm, Nr Evesham have developed best selling machinery which has improved the quality of soft fruits for consumer’s world wide. Their farm has shown commitment to maintaining local conservation and the community by being sensitive to its neighbours, work force and the environment in which the crops are grown.

The new management team have been committed to improving quality and the engineering business is responsible for developing several key machines within the soft fruit industry. The Hiller Polythene Layer, the Hiller Hole Maker and the most famous of these is the Well-Pict Hiller Engineering strawberry bed maker. The high bed system has bought several horticultural advantages to the farm and is now one of the most popular in the strawberry industry. Although the crop growing is intensive it is sensitive to the wildlife interests, with this in mind the Well-Pict High Bed system has an ability to conserve water and minimise leaching of nutrients into the environment. It has also reduced the total amount of cultivation and use of mulch plastics; therefore reducing the carbon foot print.