Parrish Farms
- Location: Shefford, Bedfordshire
Parrish Farms, a family-run farm located in the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside, has been managed by three generations of the Parrish family. The farm’s history dates back to 1927 when Frank Parrish first purchased the land for a dairy farm, supplying fresh milk to local villages daily. The farm has been growing onions and shallots for 30 years on the rich sandy soils of the Greensand Ridge, dedicated to producing great-tasting produce in the most sustainable way.
Nick and James are proud to collaborate with the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group (LAG). They have received funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, as part of the LEADER program, for the F B Parrish & Son Direct Drill project to enhance drilling operations at Parrish Farms. This funding enabled the purchase of the latest direct drill technology. This innovation has improved crop establishment, resulting in even seed cover and better seed-to-soil contact, leading to savings on seed usage and eliminating the need for post-drilling rolling.
Environmental stewardship is a core value at Parrish Farms. The farm’s fields are bordered by strips of uncultivated land rich in wild flora and fauna, promoting biodiversity. The farm cultivates over 150 acres of shallots, using GPS-controlled automated tractors to plant shallots in precise rows, 40mm apart and 20mm deep. This blend of modern and traditional techniques optimises farming efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures high-quality products.
Sustainability is central to the farms’ operations. The farm employs precision farming techniques to optimise resources for growing onions and shallots, including controlled traffic farming to maintain soil structure. Significant investments have been made in state-of-the-art storage facilities, such as cold storage, controlled atmosphere storage, and ethylene-controlled storage. Renewable energy, generated by over 400kw of solar panels, powers these storage facilities. Irrigation is crucial for allium cultivation. The farm has invested in winter storage reservoirs to ensure adequate water supply even in dry years. Sophisticated monitoring equipment ensures precise water application, optimising crop growth and quality.
Parrish Farms’ produce is grown under the L.E.A.F. (Linking Environment and Farming) protocol, the UK’s leading environmental growing program. The LEAF approach, based on Integrated Farm Management (IFM), balances modern technology with traditional methods while enriching the environment. Purchasing LEAF Marque certified products supports sustainable farming and a greener future.
Produce:
- Banana Shallots
- Brown Onions
- Button Onions
- Red Onions
- Round Shallots
Season:
- Year-round
