In 2002, brothers Mark and Andy Williams took over the day-to-day running of Presingoll Farm, on behalf of their family, after their father passed away. At the time a mixed traditional farm with Devon and Cornwall Long Wool sheep and a herd of South Devon cattle. Since then, they with the support of their families, have worked towards making the 200 acre farm a thriving, diversified business that has provided opportunities for their children to also join them.
Having sold the cattle herd in 2018, Mark and Andy looked at how they could continue to be guardians of their land, generate a sustainable business and enable future generations to innovate and thrive according to the principles established throughout their tenure in charge.
Mum Pam continues to run the long established 90-pitch 4*campsite on the farm, with direct access to the village along the recently opened Saints Way trail. Alongside, Mark and Anna (Mark’s wife) manage a very busy dog exercise field situated nearby and three separate solar arrays all providing additional income by providing electricity to a small neighbouring industrial estate on the edge of St Agnes. They breed Tamworth pigs and supply pork to a local catering company – with just 225 registered females, Tamworth’s are on the ‘at risk’ list. On our visit to the farm for the Cornwall Otter farm walk, we saw pigs carrying out conservation grazing around young trees, helping to manage the grass and weeds and allowing the trees to get well established. Further developments include a new solar powered Sauna, Soil & Salt Sauna and Wellness (Mark’s son Locryn and Sophie), and horse box hire through The Atlantic Horsebox Andy’s daughter Rebecca).
Above left: brothers Andy and Mark Williams with their FWAG adviser Richard Hollis. Above centre: The farms dog walking field. Above right: The farm walk in July looking at hay meadows, in field trees and hedgerow management.
With a primary focus on improving soil health and organic matter, and more recently addressing the risk of soil erosion – a direct result of more heavy rains and storms experienced through our increasingly changeable weather systems. More permanent cropping seemed the way forward and now the farm combines grassland, cover crops and agroforestry alongside a variety of annual crops within their rotation. They supply hay, haylage and straw to the local equine community and beyond, as well as running a small flock of sheep and breed Tamworth pigs as part of an integrated farm management system.
Trees are a big part of the story at Presingoll. Not only have they carried out extensive tree planting across the farm, adding more trees to boundaries, planting up awkward corners of arable fields and creating small copses, Inez (Mark’s daughter) and her husband Chris now run a large tree nursery.
The Grower was set up to supply wholesale trees and hedging plants, grown on the farm as part of a rotation. Each year approximately 15 acres of land within the rotation is used to produce bare root plants supplying the landscape, forestry, farming and amenity sectors. To date they have sold nearly 3 million trees across the UK, in addition they have been responsible for planting around a quarter of a million of those trees as part of the service across the Southwest. In 2024 following the completion of his degree, Jack (Andy’s son), joined as supervisor, now working full-time across the production and tree planting activities.
Above left: Inez and Chris sharing the journey of The Grower. Above centre: Cell grow trees in the new polytunnel. Above right: Tamworth pigs carrying out conservation grazing around young trees across the farm.
With a move towards more sustainable cropping and soil health, the family have invested in an agroforestry system. Already planted are sweet chestnut, walnut, hazel, cobnuts, poplars, Italian alder, apple and almonds. These will have a number of uses including timber, nuts, fruit and short-rotation coppice. In-between the rows of trees they grow pumpkins, sunflowers and Christmas trees, although deer and rabbits are proving challenging.
Germination rate challenges have led Inez and Chris to look at alternative ways to grow some species of trees. In 2025 they were fortunate to secure some grant funding to allow them to put up two polytunnels where they can start up to 240,000 young trees in cells. It’s been a steep learning curve where challenges around water, rabbits and deer across the nursery continue to be an issue. But they hope this, and a 250,000 litre rainwater tank will spread the risk and make their business more resilient in the future as demand grows for trees in the UK.
The changes across the farm over the last 8 years have allowed 3 generations to be a part of the business. It has also given them time to think more widely about the impact they are having on their soils and other habitats across the farm as well as their contribution to the local community. These factors are what impressed the Cornwall Otter Award judges who highlighted the farm’s focus on minimal soil disturbance, soil health and carbon sequestration.
Above left: Andy and Mark receiving the Cornwall Otter trophy and certificate. Above centre: One of the farms 3 solar arrays. Above right: sheep grazing in the orchard.
Bird numbers have rocketed, thanks in part to the additional cover provided by trees but also a more nature positive management of the hedges. Less frequent trimming for example, allowing them to grow up and out, has the added benefit of providing more shade and shelter for livestock and crops as well as habitat and food for wildlife.
To find out more about the farm and tree nursery, go to www.thegrower.co.uk
