About us

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FARM

Flourish Produce is nestled on fields just up from the River Granta in South Cambridgeshire between the villages of Hildersham and Linton. 

Founded in the summer of 2017 by Calixta and her two working horses Bill and Ben, the three of them ploughed the first furrow and planted the first vegetables and flowers, carefully cultivating their plants in what was then a small market garden. 

Over the years, as Flourish has grown. Calixta and her team have worked diligently to improve the soil and biodiversity of the little piece of land they call home. They strive to make it as beautiful and abundant as possible, using ecological farming practices to grow delicious and nutritious produce.

Our mission is to build a farm that is biodiverse, resilient and productive now and for years to come. 

For more details visit our Methods section.

 

TEAM

One of Flourish’s greatest strengths is the amazing team who work diligently to grow and harvest our produce in addition to keeping things running behind the scenes. We are currently hiring for the 2024 season. Click here for job opportunities.

 

Calixta, Founder

Calixta crossed the Atlantic in search of a comprehensive education in sustainable farming methods in the United States. In 2017 she returned to the UK to set up Flourish with Bill and Ben, and a polytunnel recovered from a closed-down strawberry farm.

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Alice, Office Manager

After a 10 year career in advertising Alice spent 12 weeks at Ballymaloe cookery school in Ireland. From there the seeds were sown and she’s worked in food ever since.

Photo credit: Monica R Goya 

Lisa, Pack Barn & Farm Shop Manager

Local to the area, Lisa's eye was often drawn to the flower field when passing on family bike rides. Her great passion for food resulted in her leaving a career in sales to pursue her interest in local produce. Her time at the farm has evolved, She ensures the chefs receive the most beautiful produce and looks after all aspects of the farm shop.

Tsouni, Pack Barn & Office

Tsouni worked in magazines and then sustainable fashion before finding her way into food. She’s passionate about ecological growing and connecting people with seasonally appropriate food, especially via the medium of veg boxes.

Pippin

Pippin is Linda’s dog. He loves living on the farm and especially likes to inspect the compost heap for tasty treats. His absolute favourite snack is cucumbers.

Heron, Grower

Heron’s passion is machinery, plants and soil so farming is the perfect place for them. As well as managing their own small CSA on a local Fenland farm, they enjoy farming vegetables and grain here at Flourish: “I believe our farmland can provide healthy and nutritious food, increased biodiversity above and below ground as well as fufilling and challenging jobs for people.” Next season Heron is looking forward to further improving our weeding setup and driving our combine with fewer breakdowns!

Michael, Grower

Michael worked as a chef in the North Hertfordshire area for 11 years. During the Covid lockdown he got an allotment and started to get more interested in where the food he was using on a day-to-day basis came from. His journey to find out more about the health of the food, soil and planet started and he discovered Flourish. Leaving kitchens behind to become a full-time grower, Michael’s been learning lots of new skills and knowledge that he’s looking forward to put to use in seasons to come.

Lucy, Flower Team

Having worked in the creative industry for some time, Lucy’s path has led her to floristry where she’s involved in planting, picking, conditioning, maintenance and, of course, arranging the seasonal flowers and foliage.

Bill, co-founder

Bill’s strength and power are undeniable despite his rather rotund belly. Bill enjoys rubbing on gate posts, gobbling up second grade carrots and snoozing in the sunshine.

Ben, co-founder

Ben's long blonde mane would give Brigitte Bardot a run for her money, however, he turned down many  modelling opportunities in favour of a meaningful career on the farm. Now retired, he spends his days flirting with his Donkey neighbours in the water meadows.  

Helena, Grower

After years on the road backpacking, Helena landed at Flourish where she’s on the path to learning all things large scale organic growing. Watch this space as she has big dreams of microgreens!

Linda, Grower

After working in urban growing in London for 6 years, Linda came to Flourish to learn about growing on a bigger scale. Herbs and garnishes are her thing and she’s got big plans for our herb field.

Rowan

Rowan is Heron's dog and enjoys running through long grass, sniffing for mice in the polytunnels and catching bunnies, as well as sneaking to the Farm Shop for treats. Pointiest nose on the farm.

Cameron, Grower

Cam is a Cambridge local who is passionate about the need for food sovereignty. By growing here with us at Flourish he’s keen to learn more about growing agroecologically on a larger scale.

Sally, Flower Team

Sally has a background in Plant Science, a deep love of the natural world and a particularly soft spot for flowers. She’s thrilled to be using regenerative growing methods to produce beautiful blooms and other unusual and wonderful seasonal beauties to share with you all.

Andy, Deliveries

With a background in furniture and upholstery, Andy holds the all-important role of delivering our produce to London outlets twice a week.


PRESS AND AWARDS

Winner of the 2018 Young British Foodies award in the Vegetable category!

Winner of the 2018 Young British Foodies award in the Vegetable category!

Maserati in association with The Sunday Times, listed Calixta Killander as one of their top100 innovators for 2019.

Maserati in association with The Sunday Times, listed Calixta Killander as one of their top100 innovators for 2019.

Field-to-Fork: Planet-friendly farming at Flourish

Field-to-Fork: Planet-friendly farming at Flourish

Read about the Michelin-starred restaurant Brat, that works with Flourish Produce.

Read about the Michelin-starred restaurant Brat, that works with Flourish Produce.

London’s magazine for good food talks to Calixta about new age farming and growing for chefs.Click here for full article.

London’s magazine for good food talks to Calixta about new age farming and growing for chefs.

Click here for full article.

Link to Food Tribe podcast episode 41: Farmer and founder of Flourish Produce

Link to Food Tribe podcast episode 41: Farmer and founder of Flourish Produce

Living on the veg: Chloe Hamilton of CODE Hospitality visits Flourish Produce in search for purpose during the pandemic.Click to read the full article.

Living on the veg: Chloe Hamilton of CODE Hospitality visits Flourish Produce in search for purpose during the pandemic.

Click to read the full article.

Calixta Killander, founder of Flourish Produce, listed in CODE Hospitality 30 under 30 for 2018 and TOP 100 most influential women in Hospitality for 2019.Click to read the full article.

Calixta Killander, founder of Flourish Produce, listed in CODE Hospitality 30 under 30 for 2018 and TOP 100 most influential women in Hospitality for 2019.

Click to read the full article.

The magazine telling stories of modern business follows Flourish produce throughout a  day at the farm.Click to read full article.

The magazine telling stories of modern business follows Flourish produce throughout a day at the farm.

Click to read full article.

Friends of the Countryside - ELO Diploma for Outstanding Developments in 2020 

Friends of the Countryside - ELO Diploma for Outstanding Developments in 2020 

Read about Flourish’s growing practices in the Cambridge Edition.

Read about Flourish’s growing practices in the Cambridge Edition.

Best Organic Producer Award Winner 2019Click here for video.

Best Organic Producer Award Winner 2019

Click here for video.

Diary of a Flourishing Farmer.Click here to read full article.

Diary of a Flourishing Farmer.

Click here to read full article.