About the farm

Summerhill is a mixed organic farm owned by the Soil Association Land Trust and is farmed by Ben and Alice Moseley.

Summerhill Farm lies in the heart of the beautiful mid Devon countryside, 2 miles from the village of Yeoford, on the Two Moors Way near Crediton. As the name suggests the farm is perched on a hillside at about 550 feet above sea level, falling to 300 ft where the river Yeo flows through the farm's species-rich meadows and woodland.

Our aim is to produce quality food from sustainable farming.

We have a range of enterprises that interlink to form a whole farm system. The suckler herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle graze the pasture and produce premium quality beef, which is grass fed and fully traceable. The Black Welsh Mountain sheep are another traditional breed well suited to an organic system and they do a great job of tidying up after the cattle and produce lovely lean and tender lamb. The geese are also grazers playing their part in managing the grassland as well as producing a delicious succulent bird for the Christmas table. Ben's hens complete the mix, enjoying the freedom of the range, rewarding us with their award winning eggs. Oats are grown to provide feed for the animals and our straw is used for winter bedding. The manure from the cattle and hens helps keep the soil fertile and enables us to grow some vegetables.

Organic Farming

We believe in farming with nature, in a way that respects and understands natural ecosystems and rhythms. Organic farming incorporates the highest standards of animal welfare and involves practices that protect and enhance the environment. It is not what we don't do but what we do that makes our way of farming better.

For more information about organic farming visit the Soil Association website www.soilassociation.org

Visit Us

We believe in sharing the farm experience and open our gates to yurters, campers, walkers, local people and groups for visits and holidays. Walk our farm trail and enjoy the wildlife, the animals, the scenery and the peace and quiet.

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Soil Association Land Trust

Summerhill Farm is a Soil Association Land Trust farm. The Land Trust own four organic farms which are managed by tenants or, in the case of Summerhill, sharefarmers. The Trust exists to safeguard land for organic and sustainable farming, in perpetuity. To find out more about the Land Trust click here.

Photovoltaics and solar thermal energy.....the power of the sun

The photovoltaic system on the farm uses solar radiation to generate electricity. Generating our own electricity cuts our CO2 emissions, helping to reduce our impact on climate change and export excess enegry back to the grid, making more renewable energy available for the wider community. The solar thermal system generates heat using the sun's radiation which allows us to produce our own hot water.

The Celtic Sun

The sun was an extremely powerful symbol for the Celts, associated with healing, fertility and a source of life.

The meaning of eternity is symbolized by the circle that has no beginning or end, the eternal re-birth of the sun rising every day. The interlacings of the celtic art tradition also denote this idea of infinity. Within the farming year the sun was celebrated at Beltane (around the spring equinox) through the lighting of fires to signify the rebirth of spring coinciding with the movement of cattle onto summer pastures. The Romans mentioned human sacrifices to the sun by the Celts by the burning of wicker men.

The Celtic Sun image is used with kind permission by Picchio at www.tattootribes.com

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© 2009 Ben Moseley, celtic sun design by Picchio at www.tattootribes.com used with permission