Dancing diva turns dairy entrepreneur: the yogurt empress of Yeo Valley discusses her upcoming festival in Somerset.
Yeo Valley Organic Garden and Sarah Mead's Environmental Impact
In the picturesque West Country, the organic gardening tradition is deeply rooted in both historic sustainable agriculture practices and modern organic farming principles. This rich heritage is evident in the gardens of Sarah Mead, co-owner of Yeo Valley Organic Garden.
Sarah's gardening journey began when she moved to Somerset from London to marry a farmer. Initially supplementing her income as a dancer by showing flats for a developer, Sarah's theatre school background taught her to be resilient and adaptable. This mindset served her well in her new life as a gardener.
One of the places that greatly influenced Sarah's gardening was Hadspen House (now The Newt in Somerset). Her approach to gardening involves taking a longer view, planting for both short-term impact and long-term growth. This philosophy is reflected in the diverse, idiosyncratic, and vibrant themed spaces found in her six-and-a-half-acre garden.
Sarah did not have a "Road to Damascus" moment regarding organic principles; she never learned to garden any other way. Her garden reflects a commitment to minimizing chemical inputs and nurturing healthy soil, embodying the principles of organic gardening.
In 2021, Sarah's horticultural dreams were realized when her garden was showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, in collaboration with designer Tom Massey. This was a testament to Sarah's bold approach and fearless attitude, which have significantly impacted Yeo Valley Organic Garden over the past 35 years.
Sarah is a firm believer in the power of gardeners to make a consciously environmental impact. She encourages exploration of what can be done to create sustainable and beautiful gardens. Currently, she is working on new projects, such as a buddleja meadow, maintaining a time-consuming gravel garden, and planning a replanting of the grass border.
The West Country is home to the Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival, an event that celebrates organic growing in the region. While details about the event are not readily available, Yeo Valley is known for promoting organic farming, sustainability, and community engagement in the West Country. Festivals like this typically offer displays of organic gardening techniques, workshops, and local food markets, supporting the ethos of organic agriculture and community knowledge-sharing.
For those interested in learning more about Yeo Valley Organic Garden, more information can be found on yeovalley.co.uk. Details about the Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival can be found on yvogardenfestival.co.uk. Festival attendees can enjoy a 26% discount on tickets if they are members of the festival's website.
Despite initial delays due to the pandemic, the garden was still displayed, showcasing the resilience and adaptability that Sarah Mead embodies. The Yeo Valley Garden Festival is a new annual event planned for September, with Sarah expressing hopes for its success and environmental focus.
Diversification has been key to the success of Yeo Valley Organic Farm, which started as a dairy farm. Today, it offers cream teas, pick-your-own strawberries, and yogurt production, in addition to its organic dairy products. This diversification reflects Sarah's approach to gardening—one that is creative, adaptable, and committed to sustainability.
- Sarah Mead's environmental impact is evident in the vibrant and idiosyncratic gardens of the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, a testament to her commitment to organic gardening principles.
- The West Country's horticultural scene is enriched by events like the Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival, which celebrates organic growing, sustainability, and community engagement.
- Sarah Mead's vision for her garden extends beyond the immediate impact, reflecting a philosophy of long-term growth and sustainability, as seen in her diverse six-and-a-half-acre garden.
- Sarah's gardening journey has been inspired by various places, including Hadspen House, which played a significant role in shaping her gardening philosophy.
- The lifestyle cultivated at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, including food-and-drink offerings and home-and-garden experiences, is an extension of Sarah's commitment to organic farming, fashion-and-beauty, and travel that advocates for sustainable practices.
