About Us
We are the third generation of farmers on this 220 acre mixed arable and beef farm.
In 2008 we started Roots Farm Shop, Butchery and Cafe with the aim of connecting the community with farming.
Not just the immediate community. But we aim to connect the wider community, our customers, who want to shop in a more sustainable way.
This connection now involves a much wider community with many of our customers coming from Teesside, Darlington and further afield in Yorkshire.
We provide you the shopper with the opportunity to interact with the farmer who produces the food you eat.
Roots and Regenerative Farming
Roots and Regenerative Farming
Regenerative agriculture is an holistic approach to farming that aims to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, and restore degraded land. Increasingly consumers are aware of the need to ensure agricultural practices are sustainable.
At Roots we aim for regenerative farming.
Regenerative agriculture is based on the following principles:
- Soil health is the foundation of a healthy farm ecosystem. Regenerative farmers use practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage to improve soil structure, increase organic matter content, and promote microbial activity.
- Biodiversity is essential for a resilient farm ecosystem. Regenerative farmers plant a variety of crops and encourage beneficial insects and other wildlife to thrive on their farms.
- The water cycle is essential for life. Regenerative farmers use practices such as rainwater harvesting and grazing management to improve water infiltration and retention.
Our Team
We employ 35 local staff and work as a close team. The local economy benefits from 20 full time roles at Roots Farm Shop and Café.
Our sister business, Roots Curiosities, a beautiful gift shop full of things which we love and hope you do too! Find out more about Roots Curiosities here.
Local History
We are interested in local history and our proud of our heritage. Throughout the café and gift shop you will see our “arts and crafts” influence. Our farm is part of the Arncliffe Estate.
Find out more about the fascinating history of Home Farm, East Rounton below.
Roots Weaving
We are passionate about what we do and want to involve the local community, their knowledge and skills and ensure that these skills are passed down for future generations.
Learn more about Roots Weaving, which was begun as a monthly workshop, here.
Our Connection With Philip Webb
Once a grand centerpiece of East Rounton, Rounton Grange, a magnificent hall, was designed around 1870 by Philip Webb, the revered architect who championed the Arts & Crafts Movement. Webb, renowned for his unpretentious and informal country houses, had earlier crafted the Red House (1859) for his close friend William Morris. Unfortunately, despite efforts to preserve it, Rounton Grange was demolished in 1953. Vestiges of its former grandeur remain in the form of auxiliary buildings that once served the estate.
Roots Farm Shop and the farm buildings of Home Farm, are a testament to Webb’s meticulous attention to detail, and stand as a rare example of his work extending beyond grand mansions. The farm’s architecture reflects the same level of craftsmanship and design as his grander projects.
The Grange’s Walled Gardens, still standing in East Rounton, now provide a haven for Dark Star Plants.
Our Connection With Gertrude Bell
Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, the esteemed daughter of Sir Hugh Bell from his first marriage, gained international acclaim for her expertise as an Arabist, archaeologist, and museologist. Her political acumen made her a significant figure in shaping British imperial policies. Alongside T.E. Lawrence, Bell played a pivotal role in establishing and governing the modern state of Iraq. Her profound understanding of the region, gained through extensive travels and connections with tribal leaders, proved invaluable in this endeavor. Throughout her life, Bell held the utmost respect and trust of British officials, wielding an extraordinary degree of authority for a woman of her time. She is remembered as “one of the few representatives of His Majesty’s Government recalled by the Arabs with anything resembling affection.“
For more details on Rounton’s History visit www.therountons.com
For more information about Gertrude Bell visit www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk