tea cultivation & agroecology consultancy
Developing Agroecological Tea Systems
I established Peterston Tea as one of the UK’s first agroecological tea farms, cultivating Camellia sinensis as a perennial crop within a biodiverse farm system.
Over more than a decade, I have developed practical, climate-adapted systems for growing, establishing and processing tea in temperate conditions. This work now extends into consultancy and further supporting farms, social enterprises and organisations exploring tea as a high-value diversification crop.
Alongside this, I am a Nuffield Farming Scholar researching tea cultivation within agroecology and am currently on the committee of the European Tea Growers Association.
Who I Work With:
I work with:
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Farms exploring diversification into perennial crops
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Estates, individuals and international growers considering temperate tea systems
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Agroforestry and regenerative agriculture projects
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Social enterprises and community growing initiatives
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Research institutions and collaborative trials
AREAS OF SUPPORT:
- Climate suitability and microclimate considerations
- Soil assessment and preparation
- Infrastructure planning
- Economic modelling and scale considerations
- Seed propagation and nursery systems
- Field design, spacing and planting models
- Agroforestry integration
- Polytunnel production & irrigation
- Biodiversity-led system design
- Organic production in practice
- Green, black and speciality tea production pathways
- Small-scale production workflow design
- Equipment specification & sourcing
- Yield optimisation & value integration
- Quality control & consistency frameworks
Why This Work Is Different:
My consultancy is grounded in lived practice. I bring over 25 years of horticultural farming, business diversification and mentoring experience.
Tea at Peterston is grown from both seed and clonal plants, processed on farm and integrated within a productive biodiverse agroecological system. Our products are marketed and sold both within the UK and internationally.
The advice I offer is rooted in practical implementation and is informed by my ongoing research into tea cultivation within agroecology as a high-value opportunity for UK farms.
Engagement Options:
How we can work together:
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Initial exploratory advisory calls
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Site visits and feasibility reviews
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Structured consultancy packages
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Research collaboration
- Speaking and panel contributions
Get in Touch:
If you are exploring tea cultivation or agroecological diversification, please get in touch via the contact page to discuss your project.