Fourth generation farmer Steven Glover says he is proud to be a small family farmer in Kent, a county where agriculture underpins a £2 billion agrifood chain and directly employs more than 17,700 people.
He says it can make even more of a contribution with the right support and policies in place.
“Kent is the Garden of England and people don’t realise how diverse agriculture and horticulture are within the county. We have hops, fruit, salad crops, cereals and livestock farming – we produce most things here,” he said.
“We should be shouting from the rooftops about the contribution farmers in Kent make. We must ensure farming is back on the map and we must get some value back into food production. Otherwise, we’ll see fewer farmers and more imported produce.”
'Field to fork' feeding
Steven’s family have been farming at Hartley Bottom Farm near Dartford for more than 100 years, building a business that now employs about 25 people. It includes a country store and Glover’s Quality Meats, an award-winning shop opened by then NFU President Ben Gill in 1998.
Alongside cereal crops, beans and maize the farm has pigs, sheep and beef cattle and farms around 1,600 acres in total, including contract farming arrangements. Around 80% of everything it produces is fed to its livestock or sold through its shops.
“We’ve started homegrown beans into our feed rations, rather than imported soya. The idea is that we go field to fork and know pretty much exactly what the animals are eating. I don’t think you can get much better than that,” said Steven.
The business has adopted regenerative farming practices over the past 10 years, including direct drilling, companion cropping and cover cropping.
Strong supporter of the NFU
Steven, 58, worked in construction and played semi-professional rugby union before returning to work on the farm full-time. He was encouraged to do so by his father, Roy, who gave up a potential career as a professional cricketer for Kent as he was needed on the family farm.
“My father always said to me and my brother, if you want to go and do something, go and do it while you have the chance,” said Steven.
Roy, 84, remains a partner in the business with Steven and Steven’s brother David. Cousins Julie Patrick and Helen Smith are also involved.
Steven has been a strong supporter of the NFU, including as long-time chair of its Dartford branch. He attended his first branch meeting aged 16 and he is keen to get more younger farmers involved during his time as county chair.
“It’s an honour to be taking over as county chair. I’m aware of the NFU’s long history and I want to ensure it continues delivering for its members in tackling the challenges we face,” he said.
Farming's community role
Key issues include illegal meat imports, the UK’s relationship with the European Union, unfairness in the supply chain, development pressures, the future of farm funding including the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and rural crime.
He is keen to highlight the key role that farming plays within the community during his time as county chair.
“On my own farm we keep the roadside hedges trimmed, we snowplough nearly all of Dartford and half of Sevenoaks. Farmers do a huge amount to help our small towns and villages,” he said.
Steven is married to Jo and they have four children. He takes over as county chair from Clive Baxter after NFU Conference on 25 February.