2023 is here, what will this mean?
At Devereux farm, we are lucky enough to work in the countryside – a place that inspires everything we do.
On my early walk this morning I passed a special tree in our garden. It was one of the reasons why we bought our house in 1996. Back then, the tree was around 350 years old. It was a massive turkey oak – tall, broad – with low sweeping branches, it was however coming to the end of its life.
Tragedy struck at the Millenium on January 1st 2000, when this grand old tree fell, crashing to the ground. It presented a sad spectacle.
Over the next three years, seven saplings grew from one of its surviving roots.
Most in shape were similar to a standard oak tree, but one had the character of the old tree with wide low branches. It provided an opportunity and hope that something would come back from the old tree.
21 years after the old tree fell, that sapling is as tall in feet as it is old, spreading out just as the old tree did – a vision of new growth from old.
I read this morning that 2022 is being described as a “permacrisis” – a year characterised by multiple issues.
As I walked passed the tree this morning it made me reflect that for all the global issues in the world, most have solutions. For us at Devereux farm, we need to reflect that it is our environment that is in permacrisis, and recognising this will provide the solution to it.
Our solution cannot be one created in a single year. Sea buckthorn orchards take five years to bring to maturity. Converting our whole farm to organic looks to a twelve year soil management cycle. Reshaping fields with new hedges and tree copses. Improving water storage and ponds for crops and wildlife. Our plans all focus on sustainability. New orchards producing fruit quality our customers said they want – all this takes time. There have to be short term goals. using only fully recyclable packaging; investing in renewable energy; partnering with those that bring innovation and ensure quality to our future.
Partners are crucial. The most important are our customers. Without customers we do not have a reason to exist. Customers are all individuals with personality, needs, expectations and desires.
A challenging vision – but a holistic one recognising a healthy environment is the key to a healthy future.
And then to the most important partner. Our customers are the one’s that can make this possible.
Happy new year
