William and Caroline Alexander have masterminded the development of the farm since the mid-1980’s.
William studied agriculture and is passionately committed to the hands-on management of the farm where he grew up. The farm has been with the Alexanders for generations – from when William’s great grandfather came down from Ayrshire in Scotland with a herd of dairy cows on a train!
Caroline studied architecture and landscape planning before specialising in conservation advice on farmland and studying farm business management. She wrote ‘Flowers Cut and Dried’, published in 1999, which was a definitive guide to the growing, drying and displaying of dried flowers and was based on all her hard-earned, practical experience.
Lorna runs the social media, marketing and location filming around the farm, and can often be seen around the farm with her 4 children in tow! Lorna and her husband have split their lives between the UK and Australia for the past 12 years…. and having lived in coffee-mad Melbourne, this means she ensures the Coffee Cart turns out a decent flat white during the summer months!
Thomas takes all our wonderful photographs around the farm (see his website here!) and is our resident recipe taster with wonderful wife Sophie who turns out the most fantastic Lavender and home-grown dishes from the farmhouse kitchen. Thomas is one of the best stylists and curators of our super photo libraries and product shots online.
Crispin works alongside William on the daily agricultural management of the farm. Having a background as a research scientist, he likes to know what is happening in each field and exactly what each crop is doing. Crispin can often be seen at Castle Farm with his faithful four-legged companion, the farm dog Archer.
Phil: Our shop manager. In a small business this role can be quite varied, from running the shop and managing staff through to accounts and stock control. Phil is a keen road cyclist, walker and volunteer at the Greyhound Trust.
Kathryn: Our super efficient mail order, marketing & events planner who keeps the office running like clockwork. When she is not organising everything and everyone on Castle Farm, Kathryn loves cooking, eating and talking about food!
Hazel: A buzz of Irish energy – our hands-on productivity manager Hazel can often be seen around the pack house or on the forklift. Growing up in Ireland she developed a love of the land and farming. Married to Crispin, and Mum to Adelaide. Enjoys dog walking and riding her Connemara pony Winney (when she finds the time!).
Sandy: Our trained florist, is often seen in lavender season making beautiful fresh lavender hearts. You might also come across Sandy running one of our workshops, taking tours in lavender season, working in our farm shop or answering your calls! Sandy who lives in Eynsford, loves planning her next mini-break and spending time with her two girls!
Sheila, Jo, Carine, Helen, Pam, Alice and Mary: the shop staff who keep the place running smoothly – sorting out deliveries, re-arranging displays and always ready to help our shop customers with exceptional personal service.
Eve: our lovely office accounts organiser.
David: the stockman who manages the cattle enterprise, and drives our combine-harvester. He’s the man that ensures your Castle Farm beef tastes delicious every time!
James: cheery farm mechanic and tractor driver, who is responsible for all the arable crops and the smooth running of the farm workshop.
Bob: apple tree pruner, hop garden stringer and lavender-harvester driver. Bob also undertakes most woodland management on the farm so cuts up your winter logs.
Keith: versatile tractor driver, involved throughout the year in the fieldwork as well as helping to keep our herd of beef cattle fed and watered.
Michael: summer farm student and professional parachute jumper!
And various other lovely people who come back every year (often from abroad) to help in our busy summer season.
We sometimes have opportunities for enthusiastic, dedicated or experienced people to join our team. If you are interested, please just give Caroline a call on 01959 523219.