Anthony Snell

Windmill Hill Fruits, run by Fruiterer Anthony Snell and his wife Christine, was named Fruit Grower of the Year at the National Arable and Grassland Awards 2023. 

The farm in South Herefordshire grows more than 2,100 tonnes of strawberries, blackcurrants and blackberries in rich soils, focusing on the best-flavoured varieties for premium lines. A large proportion of the blackcurrants are grown for Lucozade Ribena Suntory and quick frozen fruit is inspected, packed, heat-sealed, sleeved, boxed and labelled at the farm’s packhouse before sale to supermarket and online customers. 

Windmill Hill has been at the forefront of many research initiatives and trials, including the introduction of beneficial predatory species into crops while carefully managing the climate to create the optimum environment for controlling pests, a poly tunnel rain-water collection and recycling system, technology to allow for careful moisture monitoring and continual hedgerow planting to increase biodiversity.

The farm was also chosen as Fruit Grower of the Year due to its significant efforts to contribute to its local community, which include an annual open day, hosting of schools and agricultural societies and its status as LEAF demonstration farm since 2018.