How the Brown family at Springfield diversified their income

When the Browns purchased Springfield Farm, they faced a significant challenge: 140 acres of land is small by traditional farming standards, but the couple decided to take on the farm themselves, with a vision of building a sustainable, self-sufficient enterprise.

Gavin has had success showing pedigree Simmentals at Agri Expo and Stars of the Future Gavin, who grew up on the outskirts of Edinburgh, and Anna, from Ayrshire, were both passionate about farming, and Anna’s 25-year career in banking gave her the financial acumen to manage the farm's finances and explore innovative business opportunities.

“We set out initially to make this a successful and sustainable farm,” says Gavin. “We wanted to produce high quality meat raised on the best principles of sustainability, but we recognised from the outset that we would need to diversify in order to make a viable living here, and we were very fortunate to have the support we needed to invest from a bank that fully understands the value of sustainable farming and has backed our plans for long term growth.”

The Brown's opened their first four holiday pods in August 2013 Initially, the Browns began farming on a small scale, starting with 12 mule ewes and two Highland cows. Over time, they have built a herd of 30 Simmental cows and 12 Highland Cattle, and expanded their sheep operation to 200 commercial ewes and 30 pedigree Suffolks, specialising in slow-growing animals to make a quality product for their meats business and top end breeding for pedigree sales.

Although they applied for Defra’s new entrants and start-up grants, the Browns narrowly missed out on funding, but through tireless hard work, they have gradually increased their livestock numbers and invested in high-quality breeding stock. Their success in breeding Simmentals and pedigree Suffolks led to several prestigious show wins, including multiple championships at Agri Expo and the Stars of the Future show. Their cattle breeding business has become increasingly profitable, with Simmental bulls averaging £5000–6000 each, with a top of £10,500 and females averaging £5500 topping at £7000.

The first major step the Browns took to generate additional income was to establish a DIY livery with 16 stables. This provided a reliable and immediate income source, while they worked on rebuilding the farm’s infrastructure. They invested significant effort into improving the quality of the soil, and one field at a time they re-seeded the grass, improving the pastures and expanding their land parcel by a further 160 acres in 2016 with ground on the neighbouring farm taking their permanent pasture to 190 acres.

These large pods, sleep 6 and include a king-sized bedroom, a second bedroom with 2 single beds a bathroom, and a living area with a patio and hot tub In 2015, they launched Springfield Game and Country Meats, selling their own lamb, pork, and beef directly to consumers at farmers' markets and through local sales. Employing a butcher, Pippa Anderson, to process their meat, they ensured their customers receive high-quality, slow-aged meat products. The success of this venture has helped further stabilise the farm's income and allowed the Browns to continue expanding their operations.

In 2016, the Browns took another significant step toward diversification by partnering with a business associate to install two 150kW wind turbines on their property. This has created an additional income stream that will become fully profitable within the next two years. Their investment in renewable energy not only contributes to the farm's financial stability but also aligns with the Browns' commitment to sustainable practices.

Gavin and Anna’s latest and perhaps most ambitious diversification project is their venture into agritourism. In August 2023, they opened the first four of eight planned luxury holiday pods on the farm, with planning confirmed for 14 units. These large pods, sleep six and include a king-sized bedroom, a second bedroom with two single beds a bathroom, and a living area with a patio and hot tub, providing a high-end experience for guests seeking a rural retreat.

Marketed through their own website and digital platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, the pods have been highly successful, operating at around 65% capacity within the first year of operation. Despite initial opening delays caused by supply chain issues, the positive feedback from guests, including five-star reviews, has bolstered their reputation. With four more pods set to be operational by 2026, the Browns aim to achieve full capacity and expect the pods to provide a significant return on investment within seven to eight years.

Virgin Money has supported Gavin and Anna through the development phase of the project allowing for the investment in infrastructure, four pods and associated establishment costs once the project had established itself borrowing was transferred to a long term loan to help their strategic financial planning.

Stephen Buchan, Virgin Money head of agriculture Scotland, has nothing but admiration for the Browns and their approach to building their family’s farming future. “The journey of Springfield Farm from a modest 140-acre unit to a thriving, diversified enterprise is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and vision of Gavin and Anna. With careful planning and commitment, and a willingness to explore new opportunities, they have maximised income from every available acre to help create a sustainable long-term business.

“Gavin and Anna are fantastic examples of young entrepreneurial farmers whose success story offers valuable lessons for other small farms seeking to diversify and create long-term stability. By embracing innovation, investing in quality, and staying true to their values, the Browns have not only secured their own future at Springfield Farm but have also created a model of sustainable farming that others can follow.”