Prince Charles to give up organic farm after 35 years

The Prince of Wales will not be renewing the lease on his 1,000-acre organic farm in Gloucestershire, it has been confirmed.

A spokesperson for Clarence House said: “The Prince of Wales will not be renewing his lease on Home Farm but will continue to farm organically at Sandringham.”

The lease is due for renewal in spring next year. It has been reported that the heir to the throne, aged 71, could not commit to another 20-year lease due to his expected future role of monarch.

Prince Charles has farmed at Home Farm, near his Highgrove residence, for 35 years, turning it into a completely organic system in 1985. Produce from the farm was used to start the Duchy Originals brand, now known as Waitrose Duchy Organic.

An unnamed non-royal tenant has been found for the farm, which will remain organic, and will continue producing Waitrose Duchy Organic.

It was reported earlier this year that the Prince of Wales intends to have the largest organic sheep flock in the country at Sandringham.

Image: Creative Commons CC0 1.0 – https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en