An organic meat farmer is the new tenant of Clinton Devon Estate's Dalditch Farm, near Budleigh Salterton.

After an unprecedented amount of interest in the opportunity, the estate chose Ollie White, a fourth-generation farmer who has been running Farm2Fork, an organic meat business, from council-owned Greenway Farm near Ilminster for the past nine years.

Ollie explained: “When we saw Dalditch Farm advertised, it was like the stars had aligned. The timings fell perfectly with us trying to move the business before the clock ran out on our current tenancy. These opportunities are rare and even harder to find one in the locality.

“When we launched Farm2Fork, our business plan was to farm regeneratively, in a way that benefited both animals and their natural environment, and that is what we’ve achieved. Clinton Devon Estates showed a clear interest in supporting a business like ours, and to find a landlord with a shared vision for the future of farming elevated the opportunity.

“Everything we wanted was on offer and the timing was perfect. It enables us to protect and grow our business.”

READ NEXT: Milling about: Young farmers from Somerset tour animal feed mill

Clare James, head of residential, land and tourism at Clinton Devon Estates, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Ollie and his family to Dalditch Farm. His approach to farming demonstrates our 2030 Strategy goal for land to be ecologically healthy and productive.

“Ollie has shown through his business in Somerset that regenerative farming can produce nutrient-rich food whilst achieving high conservation standards, benefiting wildlife, landscape and the local community and we look forward to seeing his approach in practice at Dalditch Farm.”

Ahead of the move to Dalditch Farm with partner Charlotte and 20-month-old daughter Poppy, Ollie plans to remodel the dairy to host freezers and a packing room, as well as putting other facilities in place to accommodate the business operations. In time, he also hopes to build a shop on site.

“With 90 per cent of our orders online and for nationwide delivery, it makes it easier for us to relocate. We’re looking forward to serving a new market in East Devon, as well as continuing to serve our loyal customers, too," added Ollie.