Our Farm
Charlton - Farming for over 100 years
The Russell family has owned Charlton since 1920. Our farm has taken on many changes since then. Dairying and running a small piggery have evolved into breeding beef cattle since 1939 and sheep up until recently. For many decades our family farming practices were an ‘organic’ style.
Biodynamics
Since 1989, more formal Organics and Biodynamics have been practised with certification for beef and grain in 2001 and sheep in 2007.
We use natural products on the farm to improve soil, plant and animal health including biodynamic preparations, soil conditioners and stock supplements. The preparations are sprayed onto the paddocks to enliven soil biology. Livestock, crops and pastures are managed around the moon's cycle. Natural homeopathic remedies for the livestock are also used as part of our natural farming regime, aiming to nourish our soil, our farm and all that it supports.
The Family
Ian and Dawn are the third generation of farmers on the property and are very proud to be living and working on this farm in a picturesque part of the world.
Ian loves his farming and breeding quality cattle while Dawn enjoys her gardening, growing and preserving their abundant fruit and vegetables, cooking jams and marmalades.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is to produce healthy organic beef and grains. We see ourselves as part of a wholesome farming system that encompasses land, soil, water, air, livestock and people and our natural way of farming aims to nourish each of these in the process.
Regenerating our red volcanic soils naturally provides the opportunity for them to become more balanced and abundant in diversity both above and below the ground. This diversity adds nutrition to the plants and animals that depend on the soil, in turn providing more nutrient dense food grown on the farm.
Livestock
Our livestock graze and fatten on diverse dryland and irrigated pastures enhanced with biodynamic preparations. We have self-replacing cattle herds of predominantly South Devon and Angus Cows, crossed with bulls of the same breeds.
Charlton farm produce has low food miles. The calves supplied direct to customers are all born and raised on our farm. The only truck journey the calves have is to the local processor, via the butcher then direct to you, the customer.
