Farmers Weekly Awards 2023: Diversification Farmer of the Year
Johnny and Clare Clapp with their daughter, Elsie © Emily Fleur Johnny and Clare Clapp, Red Linhay, Devon, are the 2023 Farmers Weekly Diversification Farmers of the Year.
Astrong business acumen and drive for progression have aided Johnny and Clare to built up a whole portfolio of diversified enterprises on their mixed farm in Devon.
This includes a large business park, self-storage units, a straw pelleting business, a ground-source heat pump and an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, alongside a highly successful arable and beef farm.
Each enterprise provides additional revenue streams, helping to create a more sustainable business for the future.
See also: Diversification Farmer of the Year finalists
Farm facts
- 100 self-storage containers let out at the business park providing additional revenue
- AD plant and ground-source heat pump both generate electricity on farm
- Herd of pedigree Charolais cattle
- More than 1,000ha farmed in-house, plus contract farming agreements
- 10 workers employed as part of the farming business
Conversions
Based near Tiverton in Devon, the Clapps first diversified by converting old agricultural buildings into a few commercial lets. This has since grown into a business park, home to a range of tenants, including kitchen showrooms, offices and a gym.
The main farm, now relocated to a site just up the road, is home to the arable contracting business and a pedigree beef herd.
Clare runs the beef enterprise, rearing and selling pedigree Charolais bulls through the Cove Charolais herd.
The contracting business employs about 10 staff, including a farm manager, a number of full-time and part-time workers, and two apprentices. More local farmworkers are often taken on during busy periods.
The farm business covers about 1,000ha of land, which includes combinable cereal crops, grassland for the beef enterprise, and some land to feed the on-site AD plant.
Digestate produced by the AD plant is then spread on the farmland by the arable contracting team, acting as an organic fertiliser and helping to improve soil health and productivity.
Some of the wheat straw harvested by the arable business is dried and turned into pellets using a pelleting machine.
This is then sold in bulk to the pet supplies industry for use as cat litter, with the products being sold in bags by a number of major supermarkets.
Winning ways
- Large range of diversifications with great integration between farm and diversified enterprises
- Entrepreneurial outlook and clear vision for each aspect of the business
- Excellent new market opportunities in pet industry with straw pelleting business
- Good time and staff management with additional team members bringing new skills
Commercial lettings
The business park, which operates as Hartnoll Business Centre, has been developed to accommodate a number of commercial properties, let out for use as light industrial, office and retail units.
Its out-of-town location and good road links to the M5 have helped the business park to become a success, with many tenants relocating out of the local town.
There are also a small number of residential lets on-site.
A self-storage business with about 100 containers is located at the business park as well, with a second storage site near Exeter.
The storage business is run in-house and provides a consistent income stream for the wider business.
Demand is reportedly strong, with a waiting list of individuals interested in renting units.
Further development of the business park is being considered for the future, with the current site at full capacity and other businesses making enquiries about relocating.
Plans for roof-mounted solar panels are also under consideration, which would help tenants to reduce energy costs.
A word from our independent judge
“Johnny and Clare have built a strong, diversified business from the traditional arable and beef foundations. Johnny also continues to support and mentor new entrants, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Nick Evans, Oxbury Bank co-founder and managing director
Diversification Farmer of the Year 2023 is sponsored by CLA Insurance
Sponsor’s message
“CLA Insurance is delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Diversification category and congratulates all of the finalists on their innovation.”
Esther Kane, head of CLA Insurance