Farming

The Pluckley countryside continues to be dominated by agricultural land, primarily arable and fruit. Few can miss the dazzling sight of oilseed rape in flower during the spring and the sea-blue of linseed later on in the season.

The farming community of Pluckley has changed considerably over the last 35 years. In 1965 there were 21 farms within the parish. Of those 21, only eight remain today, with five of them still farmed by the same families. The industry has, over this time, changed immeasurably. With one exception (Elvey Farm, now principally a country house hotel) these farms have expanded and are fully mechanised.

Sheerland Farm Oasts

Sheerland Farm

The Highwood business, set up in Pluckley in 1929, was originally 318 acres. Since then it has expanded and is predominantly apples, pears, and some arable land. Many of the old orchards have been renewed and there is a new irrigation system. Now there is about 460 acres and 23 employees, rising to about 70 in peak season.

Coopers Farm

Located in Chambers Green Road, the farm was part of the Dering Estate, until sold in 1922. The current owner bought the house, a few farm buildings, and 19 acres in 1945. At that time the tithes charged £19.8s. 6d. The land was increased to 156 acres and had dairy cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs, as well as arable land. Flax grown on the farm was processed at Pivington Flax Mill. Produce was not sold locally: milk went to the Milk Marketing Board (before its demise) in churns to Margate, then Ramsgate, and then by tanker to Folkestone, then to Essex. It now goes to West Sussex. Corn went to Eastes & Loud, Ashford; Pigs to Walls, Wiltshire; cull cows to dealers; and eggs to Stonegates at Wye.
The farm is now dairy cattle only and the land down to all grass.

Rushbrook Farm

The Gwillim family moved to Pluckley in 1949 and produced hay from the grassland, fattened sheep and reared pigs. Arable land was used for producing barley to feed the pigs, and growing potatoes. Surplus barley was sold for malting, and surplus potatoes loaded into trucks at Pluckley railway sidings. Since 1965 the acreage has more than doubled to approximately 1400 acres. In the late 1950's the family started a commercial storage business for local farmers, which it still runs today. Arable crops are grown; some for malting, bread making and animal feed, and oils for commercial and industrial use. The farm is now run as two separate holdings.

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Stanford Bridge Farm

In late 1996 the 127 acres at Stanford Bridge Farm was restored to agriculture, the previous owner having obtained planning permission for an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse. As the original farmhouse had been sold off, planning permission was given for a traditional style farmhouse. The farm buildings have been renovated and modified to accommodate a 45-head suckler beef herd. All the offspring are either finished or the heifers are returned to the breeding herd. The cattle have access to the farmland around the buildings, which currently consists of 51 acres of grassland, 42 acres of arable and 31 acres of woodland. Four local people are employed full time.

Frith Court Farm