Growing Perennial Herbs for the UK Herbal and Nutraceutical Sectors
Five Bees Farm is a 17-acre agroforestry herb farm near Woolsery, North Devon
We grow perennial herbs as dried botanical ingredients for UK manufacturers, creating a regenerative, traceable supply chain from a single British farm.
The Opportunity We See
Most of the botanicals used by UK supplement and herbal manufacturers are imported, often through several traders before they reach a production line.
Import delays disrupt production schedules. Quality varies from batch to batch. Regulatory compliance becomes complicated. Long supply chains conflict with brand values.
There's a better way: UK-grown, regeneratively farmed botanical ingredients from growers who understand both the farming and the market, with a short, documented journey from field to formulation.
Our initial herbs will be grown for a specific plant part:
Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica)
Lemon balm leaf (Melissa officinalis)
Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Peppermint leaf (Mentha × piperita)
Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)
Meadowsweet flowering tops (Filipendula ulmaria)
Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis)
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)
Skullcap aerial parts (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Every herb is grown, harvested and dried on our farm. We don't buy in or blend material from anyone else.
A Vision for Regenerative Herbal Production
We're a 17-acre agroforestry farm near Woolsery, North Devon, building a model for sustainable, scalable herb production in the UK.
We're not a wholesaler, we're not an importer, we are farmers building a regenerative system from the ground up.
Agroforestry: native tree rows with herb beds between them, creating a biodiverse growing environment. This isn't efficiency-first farming, it is systems-first farming.
Organic conversion: we're working towards Soil Association organic certification, with a target of 2028. We're building the right practices from the start, not retrofitting them later.
On-farm drying, with processing to follow: we dry every harvest in our own barn and plan to add cutting and milling, so we control the journey from seed to shipment, and with it product quality and consistency.
Species chosen by demand: we're growing what UK manufacturers actually use, not what's easiest to scale.
Operations began in 2026. First harvests for trade buyers are planned for 2027.
How We Grow - Regenerative Systems Thinking
Agroforestry means growing trees and shrubs alongside herbaceous plants on the same land.
Why it matters for herb production:
Native trees shade moisture-loving herbs and shelter exposed ones from the wind. Their leaf fall and roots build the soil and they bring biodiversity and beauty to the farm.
Between the tree rows, we grow herbs in 1-metre no-dig raised beds at different densities and heights. The result is a layered system that resembles a natural plant community rather than a monoculture: a farm that looks and works more like a managed woodland than a field of crops.
Regenerative Principles
Zero synthetic inputs: fertility comes from coppiced willow mulch grown on site, cover crops and compost.
Soil first: every harvest decision considers its impact on soil biology.
Biodiversity by design: pollinator corridors, hedgerows and wildlife habitat are infrastructure, not afterthoughts.
Natural water management: ponds and swales capture seasonal rain for irrigation and wildlife.
Carbon: our tree rows and soil-building practices are designed to store carbon, and we aim to be a carbon-negative farm.
We're not claiming to be perfect, we're claiming to be intentional.
Who We Supply
We sell wholesale to businesses only
herbal tea and botanical drinks brands
pet and equine supplement makers
nutraceutical and supplement manufacturers
herbalists and tincture makers
herb wholesalers
Five Bees Farm is run by Matt and Louize, so when you buy from us, you speak directly to the people who grow your ingredients.
Plan UK-Grown Supply with Us
We're now talking to buyers who want to build traceable, British-grown herbs into future formulations. Tell us which herbs, plant parts and volumes matter to you hello@fivebeesfarm.co.uk
