About

Mission

Rushmere Farm aims to prove that organic farming is productive and profitable, and is the best way to feed people whilst reversing biodiversity loss and carbon emissions. It is a place in the South Downs National Park that people love to visit and share with their friends. Where they see birds and butterflies, and eat delicious nutritious food, enjoying a vibrant community of growers, artists and local people that are proud to have this lively business near to where they live.

Growing the highest quality food will always be the core of the business knowing that to continue to achieve this the natural ecosystem must be encouraged to thrive. Guests in our accommodation and our event spaces support the development of the farming system and habitat management, reducing the need for intensification, and allowing for expansion of the farming operation. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn the importance of sustainable land management for ecosystem services and human health, as well as engaging with resident artists

Carbon Negative

Our farming business is now carbon negative. Read report.

Farming is one of few industries that has the capacity to be carbon neutral, to bring about a net gain in biodiversity, and to improve human health. To affect this change the farm will initially see a dramatic reduction in crop yield, as a result of zero chemical inputs. The soil will recover, but it will take a minimum of 4 years, and whilst it is unlikely that we will ever again produce (e.g.) 3 tonnes of milling wheat per acre, the wheat (and other food) that we grow will contain a greater density (and variety) of minerals and vitamins. It feels like a bold step, to give back a level of control and to trust in nature to do its thing, but we feel that a local food system that is part of the ecosystem is incredibly important. Some areas may look a little messy up on the hill and we hope you don’t mind; these are designed to maintain something close to a natural ecosystem’s balance above and below the ground. The wildlife areas and cropping have been designed around the footpaths so that you can all enjoy them, without them being significantly impacted by humans and dogs.

Can organic farming feed the world?

People often say to me 'we can't feed the population with organic farming.' Not being brave enough to back myself or quick enough to remember the numbers, I might answer: 'if we lose ecosystems there will be no food at all'. However the dramatic depletion in biodiversity over the last 80 years, in large part caused by industrial agriculture, is not tangible or easily recognisable, unless you have witnessed, for example, hand pollination of apples in the absence of sufficient insects. My answer also does not present a solution. So I checked the numbers.

There are 7.8 billion people in the world. 1 billion are undernourished, whilst 2 billion suffer from 'diseases of affluence' (e.g. 400 million with diabetes). We produce 2.5 billion tonnes of cereal per year. 1 tonne of cereal can supply three people with enough macronutrient (food energy and protein) for a year; so 2.5 billion tonnes is enough for 7.5 billion people. Cereals make up less than half of our food, with the rest (including many micronutrients) coming from pulses, root and stem tubers, seeds, nuts, fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, fish, etc. As such we easily produce enough food for 15 billion people. 48% too much. Short term macroeconomics require us to consume in order to prevent employment from falling, and yes, food waste, global trade, logistics, human behaviours and politics are complicated. But when global food production output per capita has outpaced global food demand for at least a decade, and growth in obesity and malnutrition indicates that global production is not meeting nutritional needs, why are we all still convinced that we need to produce more of the same food?

Average organic yields are 10-30% less than 'conventional' depending on sector, soil type, etc. The transition away from chemicals towards high yielding, healthy soils cannot be made overnight, therefore, let's make the conservative assumption that organic farming can only produce a third of what is produced using chemicals. On that basis, if we were to increase the organically farmed area from the current 1.5% to 50% (replacing conventionally farmed area), there would still be enough food for well in excess of the global population predicted for 2050.

In short, organic farmers cannot feed all of the population based on its current demands. However, no more people will starve if up to half of agricultural land is farmed with zero chemicals. We can prevent the natural world from collapse - and in doing so, save ourselves. 

Wildlife

People

Volunteering: if you would like to join our team and get involved on a regular or ad-hoc basis please do get in touch.

I am George and I run the farm with my parents Sue and Robert Crossley. Dad inherited the farm from his father and brothers, and farmed with skill and care for many years, always passionate about wildlife, positive, and not afraid of foul weather, heavy lifting or new ideas. Mum comes from a long history of farming; poultry, beef and dairy, and years of experience as a land agent. She qualified as a chartered surveyor and set up the Country House Company in Hambledon, as well as running the horse stables on Rushmere Lane. Both fully support the change to organic practices and our invitation to the public to come and see for themselves the wildlife in abundance and the delicious food being produced alongside it. It is thanks to them that we have the platform now to farm in a way that will set a template for others to follow. There are others too, that make this place special and it is only with the help of these wonderful people that we bring this place to life. 

Rosie is incredible! She took over caring for our holiday accommodation in 2024, and has taken a huge load off my shoulders. She cleans and launders, always smiling and chatty, and she now handles the majority of communication with guests. If you need anything you can ask her, and if she doesn't know the answer (which is rare) she can always ask me. 

Alec is a talented artist, craftsman and musician who helps bring magic to our spaces. He is a brilliant sculptor and puts his many skills towards new projects, as well as keeping us on top of maintenance, occasionally supporting Norman in the TOATS production barn. Originally from Chicago, via Los Angeles he finds himself in the Hampshire countryside and constantly reminds us of the beauty of our surroundings. He manages the workshops at Rushmere Corner (next to Hampshire Veg Box) where creators/artists/makers can hire or rent space so feel free to pop in and find out what they are up to. 

Norman fled from gang violence in El Salvador and achieved residency here in the UK for his wife and two children in 2023. Whilst living in temporary accommodation, and without the right to legally work he volunteered with many projects on the farm and also in Portsmouth, with the church and community. He is the most resourceful and positive person you will ever meet, and has become an indispensable part of the team, managing the production of 2000L per week of TOATS oat drink, as well as fixing almost anything you can think of. If you see him, say 'Hola'.

Kathleen is an organic landscape gardener with a deep understanding of ecosystems and a both scientific and folkloric knowledge of plants and wildlife. Frustrated, as many of us are, by the side-lining of nature in human environments she comes to Rushmere Farm with joy and a passion to inspire our visitors with the abundance of nature and its ability to nourish us without expecting anything in return. You will see Kathleen planting, pruning and preparing habitats, and if you need help identifying a plant, insect, bird, or mammal she will almost certainly know what it is, and what it does.

Edward prepares TOATS for its customers, he sets up the production three times per week, packs and labels the oat drink ready for delivery, and keeps everything in check; calibrating scales, and thermometers, testing for gluten, and keeping us well stocked. There are early mornings and there is a chaotic boss, but he doesn't miss a beat, reliable and diligent throughout. 

Chris runs Hampshire Veg Box and is director of Hampshire Market Garden at Rushmere Farm. He is a fount of knowledge on soil and an ambitious driver in the movement towards locally produced organic food. Hampshire Market Garden now produce 60% of what goes into 250+ veg boxes distributed within a 20 mile radius of the farm. It is a pleasure to work with Chris, and his veg is delicious and extremely nutritious. Please do take the opportunity to buy some veg from the fridge (just up the road from the Cattleyard at the junction of Pithill lane and Speltham Hill).

Mark became a friend when he started cooking feasts for green wood working courses in the woods at the farm. He is a fun and kind man, not afraid of hard graft, and a knowledgeable grower as well as experienced chef. He had been working for a vegetable grower an hours drive from home so when I heard he had left the job, we snapped him up. We hope that when his young kids have grown up a bit he might have time to cook for us again! For now you'll see him working the veg beds at Hampshire Market Garden (alongside Pithill Lane). 

Ivan is a qualified, patient teacher, and excellent green woodworker. His knowledge of wood and the techniques used to craft them is extensive, and his passion for making beautiful wooden objects will almost certainly rub off on you. The wood he uses often comes from the farm and its use is part of a management plan that protects wildlife, and captures carbon. The objects he creates, in some cases, will last longer than the tree species from which they have come. Ivan sadly no longer lives nearby, and returns for courses in the summer holidays.