How we got to where we are now...
Lucio Salas and Anna Wardman set up Edgebank Organics in 2001. They had worked in overseas development in Africa, Asia and South America for many years, Lucio as an agricultural advisor and Anna as a manager. After 20 years watching other people work their farms they decided to make a go of it themselves and bought a twelve acre hay field with a house and outbuildings on the Norfolk/Cambridgeshire borders. With advice from DEFRA they registered with the Soil Association and went into a two year organic conversion period which was completed in 2003.
The land needed a huge amount of work in order for the soil to become suitable for soft fruit production: this was done by planting green manures such as phacelia and clover. A strict eight–year rotation programme is observed to avoid disease and pests. When it is due to come into production the plot is ploughed, harrowed and well-rotted animal manure incorporated. The new plants are planted through Mypex to control the weeds and throughout the season weeding is done by hand or by rotovator.
...And what we do
Strawberries are the main crop: seven varieties chosen for their fruiting season and hardiness to disease. The early varieties are grown in polytunnels to extend the season and start fruiting in late April. June sees the main season’s crop and the everbearers give fruit until the first frosts in November. The raspberries come into production in June and last through to October. The blackcurrant, redcurrant, gooseberry, blackberry and melon seasons are shorter, lasting only from July to September, when the top fruit comes into its own.
All the jam is made in the farm kitchen from fresh fruit brought in straight from the field and organic sugar: no preservatives or additives are used. In 2008 organic fruit cordials were added to the menu (elderflower, strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant) and ice-cold strawberry smoothies are sold directly to the public at the Farmer’s Market stalls. The fruit processing operation is also inspected yearly by the Soil Association to ensure that its meets the organic criteria.