Our Story

Set in the heart of the North Cotswolds, our beautiful 700-acre farm has been cared for by the Russell family for five generations.

Our story began in 1909, when Archibald Russell founded the farm with a modest allotment. From these early beginnings, Archibald expanded the business, taking on 48 acres of grassland and a small number of agricultural barns. Grass from the shooting rides was cut for hay, and dairy cows were milked by hand — a true reflection of traditional farming at the time.

In 1935, Archibald and his son Percy secured the tenancy of Ryefield Farm, establishing A. Russell & Son. The holding included the farmhouse, agricultural buildings and 105 acres of grassland, marking a significant step forward for the family business.

During World War II, the farm played its part. When families were evacuated from London during the Blitz, landowner Lady Ismay housed children at Wormington Grange. The estate’s Jersey cows produced milk that was too rich for the children, so Percy and Archie introduced crossbred cows to provide a more suitable milk supply.

Following Archibald’s death in 1947, the next generation took the reins. John Russell, born in 1937, returned home after completing agricultural college in 1955, continuing the family’s farming tradition with his father.

A major milestone came in 1978, when John and his wife Pauline purchased Manor Farm, Wormington, developing a mixed enterprise of beef, arable and dairy farming. In 1980, their son Mark returned to the farm after completing his studies at Hartpury, strengthening the future of the business.

Over time, the farm evolved through beef cattle and pigs to specialising in arable farming. Today, we grow high-quality milling wheat, oilseed rape, beans and barley, supplying ingredients used in everyday food products across the country.

In 2024, James joined the business, marking the fifth generation of the farm. Together with our dedicated team we now manage over 1,250 acres of combinable crops.

We are proud of our heritage, our land and our commitment to producing consistently high-quality crops for our customers — combining generations of experience with modern, sustainable farming practices.