Farm Focus
H A Boxall & Son Sutton Valence, Kent

The Boxall family originally started farming in Sutton valence in 1930 by successfully growing crops of Cambridge Favourite, Red Gauntlet and Hapil. Still proud of their Cox and Bramley orchards they are constantly looking at ways to improve the harvesting and marketing of this valuable crop for the farm business. "Whilst we harvest strawberries and raspberries from March to October, we continnue to make every effort to grow and store a superior quality apple crop; our ability to do this means that we able to continue employing our loca staff for most of the year" said Andrew.

In addition to Andrew and his wife Elaine, the Boxalls employ over 40 staff during the soft fruit season. Some are students provided through the Concordia scheme, but many are local people that have continued to work for with them for over two generations. They also pack strawberries and raspberries for five neighbouring farms as well as their own fruit. Keeping the farm very busy throughout the season. So much so in fact, that they have applied for planning consent to expans their packhouse to 32,000 sq ft in time for the 2005 season.

Andrew has also developed his production techniques to maximise the quality and quantity of fruit grown signnificantly over recent years. "Our strawberries are produced using table to systems designed by our own farm (a system that is now being sold across the country to various other growers that I know) and our table top system can be modified to accommodate many different types of growing medium. As well as being one of the cheapest systems on the market, it can be erected by one person without the need for machinery. It has taken us five years but we have finally designed a growing methos that will maximise our yield and quality, whilst reducing our labour cost."

Most of his strawberry fields double crop and the logistical important of plant movement have been improved so that they are now able to turn around 2 crops in a matter of days. Andrew has also a successful glasshosu production that has seen tonnages increasel the earlier crops of Elsanta that are produced (circa 15 tons per acre) means that these returns now form an essential part of the Boxall seasonal income.

"Outside, 2003 saw excellent production levels for oru strawberry crops; our portuguese tunnel crops pick up straight after the glass house Elsanta. Indeed, our newly installed heaters meant that we were picking in April last year, some three weeks ahead of plan. Our Everest, Elsanta and Diamente crops yielded excellent weight and we also became involved in the Becker Underwood mycorrhiza trials to increase plant yields further so to say we have been busy would be an understatement." laughed Andrew.

Raspberry production has also taken off; in 2003 the Boxalls planted up an additions 5 acres of Tulameen, Joan Squire and Polka (making the total acreage 7) and they expect to yield around 25 tons of raspberries through the 2004 season.

All the class 1 fruit produced is sold through Well-Pict European with the main production going to AMS/ASDA and last year Andrew expanded his direct store supply to take in the whole of Kent (some 10 stores in total). Andrew commented "we produced over 220 tons of strawberries for sale to these stores by using our own fruit as well as stock from neighbouring farms that we packed and distributed on their behalf. We were really pleased with the results of our efforts. The positive PR that this activity generated was quite phenomenal".

In addition to their main sales drive, they also participated in many events across the country last year to promote their farm business to the public and they continnue to be staunch supporters of the Kent County Council "Produced in Kent" Marketing proposal. "We are proud to advertise the fact that fruit grown and packed and sold within the county is available for the Kentish community through the AMS/Asda "Locals" scheme" said Andrew.

Such is his professionalism and determination that Andrew has recently been short listed for the Grower of the Year award for the third time, and we certainly wish him well this his nomination. Although he is a keen model aeroplane maker and flyer, you can be sure that Andrew will firmly keep his feel on the ground regardless of the outcome. We wish him and his family good luck.

Winter 2003

Source: http://www.wellpict-countylocal.com/

Well Pict County Local - Top fruit and soft fruit grower, packer, distributor and marketeer in Kent