Sustainable farming in partnership with nature and people in South Oxfordshire

About the Partnership

The Davey Partnership is a family-owned arable farm and diversified rural business based in Brightwell Baldwin, Watlington, managing land and property across South Oxfordshire and the Chilterns (OX49). With farming and food production at our core, we combine traditional agricultural expertise with regenerative practices, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Regenerative agriculture sheep grazing near Watlington

Our mission

Our mission is to produce quality British food through sustainable farming in Oxfordshire while enhancing the land, rural properties, and natural spaces in our care, so they remain thriving places for people, wildlife, and nature across the Chilterns for generations to come.

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Farm family South Oxfordshire sustainable farming

Our farming story in South Oxfordshire

The Davey family has farmed for many generations across Southern England, beginning in Cornwall, moving to Sussex, and now firmly rooted in South Oxfordshire. Each chapter has been driven by a commitment to agriculture as a long-term vocation, using land responsibly, and adapting to changes in the industry while staying true to our core values.

Over the last 20 years, our farm near Watlington has evolved from a traditional arable enterprise into a diversified sustainable farming business. We've expanded our arable contract farming services across Oxfordshire, developed residential and commercial property lettings in the Chilterns, and most recently reintroduced sheep grazing as part of our regenerative agriculture system.

Throughout this farm diversification journey in South Oxfordshire, we've maintained a strong reputation for professional contract farming, high-quality crop production, responsive property management, and transparent communication with landowners, tenants, and the local community near Brightwell Baldwin.

Our approach to sustainable farming

The constant thread connecting our work is a genuine passion for agriculture and caring for the land; finding better ways to protect soil health, support biodiversity, reduce environmental impact, and actively contribute to the local community in South Oxfordshire and the Chilterns AONB. We believe sustainable farming means balancing productive agriculture with environmental care.

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Regenerative agriculture sheep grazing near Watlington

Meet the family

  • Family run farm in south oxfordshire

    Richard and Kellie

    Richard and Kellie have developed the Davey Partnership over the past 35 years in South Oxfordshire, expanding beyond pure arable into property and other enterprises. They have successfully built the Partnership’s strong reputation across the Chilterns, reflected in the well-established contract farming business and long-standing relationships with landowners.

  • Vet farmer in oxfordshire

    Will

    Will trained and qualified as a large animal vet, working at Hook Norton Vets and Larkmead in Oxfordshire before joining full time in 2023. His veterinary experience underpins the sustainable reintroduction of sheep to the business, supporting our regenerative farming system in South Oxfordshire with professional animal welfare and health management. Will now runs the farming business alongside Richard.

  • Marketing farmer in Chilterns

    Millie

    Millie has a background in marketing and communications, most recently working at Agreena in the agricultural and natural capital space. She joined the farm full time in 2025 and now focuses on farm diversification projects, brand development, community engagement, and building collaborative relationships with partners, grant bodies, environmental organisations, and local stakeholders across Oxfordshire.

  • Katherine

    Katherine previously worked as a farm and equine vet for 8 years before pursuing a career change. She joined the dairy co-operative First Milk in 2024 as the Area Manager for the South West, recruiting new farmers and managing farms which supply Yeo Valley Production on a non-organic regenerative milk contract. Alongside Will, Katherine looks after our flock of Exlana sheep.

Sustainable farming practices in South Oxfordshire

  • Sustainable arable farming South Oxfordshire Chilterns

    Productive, sustainable crops

    On our arable land in South Oxfordshire, we focus on growing reliable crops suited to our Chilterns soil, while continuously improving soil health, structure, and long-term productivity through regenerative farming practices, cover crops, and careful rotation planning.

  • Regenerative agriculture sheep grazing near Watlington

    Sheep in the rotation

    Our Exlana sheep graze grass leys and cover crops across the farm, recycling nutrients back into the soil, improving soil structure and biology, and supporting a regenerative agriculture system that enhances land health and biodiversity in the Chilterns.

  • Hedgerow management biodiversity Chilterns AONB

    Space for nature

    We actively plant and manage hedgerows, maintain wide grass margins, create beetle banks, and establish wildlife habitats to support local biodiversity, protect soil and water quality, and enhance the natural environment across our South Oxfordshire farmland. Our environmental stewardship work contributes to wildlife corridors in the Chilterns AONB.

  • Public footpaths farm walks South Oxfordshire countryside

    Welcoming people

    Public footpaths crossing our farm near Brightwell Baldwin are kept open, clearly marked, and well-maintained so local residents and visitors can enjoy the South Oxfordshire countryside safely and respectfully. We organise farm walks and open days to share our sustainable farming practices and explain seasonal activities.

  • Rural property management Chilterns farm

    Homes and workspaces

    Our residential and commercial properties near Watlington are carefully maintained and responsively managed, providing quality rural homes and practical business units for local families and businesses within the Chilterns countryside. We pride ourselves on professional landlord communication and creating safe, attractive spaces that benefit from their farm setting.

Environmental projects and farm diversification in the Chilterns

As a forward-thinking sustainable farming business in South Oxfordshire, we're actively involved in environmental schemes, natural capital projects, and farm diversification initiatives that benefit both our land and the wider Chilterns community:

Environmental stewardship

  • Countryside Stewardship schemes focusing on soil health and biodiversity

  • Hedgerow planting and management across our Oxfordshire farmland

  • Wildlife habitat creation supporting local species and pollinators

  • Water quality protection through buffer strips and sustainable farming practices

Farm diversification projects

  • Regenerative agriculture including cover cropping and rotational grazing

  • Rural property management providing homes and business spaces

  • Sustainable lamb production with high welfare standards

  • Exploring Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) opportunities in South Oxfordshire

  • Potential natural capital projects supporting carbon and biodiversity goals

Community engagement

  • Farm walks and educational visits for local schools near Watlington

  • Open communication about farm operations and seasonal activities

  • Local employment supporting the South Oxfordshire rural economy

  • Partnerships with local businesses, pubs, and butchers

We welcome conversations with grant bodies, environmental organisations, research institutions, and other partners interested in sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture, biodiversity projects, or farm diversification opportunities in the Chilterns.

Our values

  • Committed to remaining family-run and making decisions collaboratively.

  • Pride in high standards of service, production and output.

  • Acting as partners, educators, and influencers rather than simply providers.

  • Stewardship of the land and long-term business health.

  • Willingness to challenge norms and develop new solutions.

  • Ensuring new opportunities never compromise the core farming enterprise.

Partnerships and enquiries

We'd love to hear from you. Reasons to get in touch:

  • Contract farming and land management enquiries

  • Property and event space rentals in South Oxfordshire

  • Lamb supply for butchers, pubs, or households

  • Farm diversification and sustainability partnerships

  • Environmental project collaborations (BNG, natural capital, biodiversity)

  • Community questions about farm activities, footpaths, or local engagement

  • Grant applications, case studies, or research opportunities

  • School visits and educational farm walks near Watlington