Lockdown delivers milk service

Udderly wonderful! Local milk deliveries born out of lockdown

Tucked away on 15th century Farrs Farm, in the Taw Valley near Chittlehamholt, is a true family endeavour with a passion for ethical farming and quality local produce.

Three generations of the May family have invested their lives in farming the Devon countryside, and when the first Coronavirus lockdown hit in March last year they diversified to create a ‘micro dairy’.

“People are enjoying the fact that our milk is old school proper milk, with the nice cream top,” said James Lovegrove (left).

“We only milk our cows once each morning. The rest of the time they’re out in the field or tucked up in their big barn. This keeps them relaxed and if they’re happy, we’re happy!”

They also leave calves with their mums (above), so the youngsters have their milk before any is taken to sell locally.

James moved to the farm in 2019 with his wife Tilly, daughter of farmers Richard and Michele May. The family started producing milk just for themselves with one cow - now they have 14. The Maygrove ‘brand’ for their meat and dairy products came from mixing their surnames May and Lovegrove. Continued on page 26

Calf Florence in the milking bay

It wasn’t long before friends and neighbours started trying their milk - and now they’ve expanded production to deliver bottles in the traditional way to local communities, including Umberleigh, Chittlehamholt, Chittlehampton, Atherington, High Bickington, Chulmleigh and Burrington.

“It’s in glass, one litre bottles with silver metal screw top lids. We collect the empties when we deliver the fresh milk, which supports our ethical ethos of recycling and reusing as much as we can,” James told Molton Monthly.

“We have been totally blown away by the local support we have achieved already, and have had some lovely feedback.”

“Our respect for the land and the animals we raise is at the heart of what we do, creating superior quality produce.”

You can follow Maygrove on Facebook and Instagram or email: maygroveproducts@gmail.com

Exmoor beaver - photo Ben Birchall