Meet the Jersey Royal farmers
Jersey Royal Company works with a network of independent generational farmers, as well as being farmers ourselves. The knowledge and expertise passed through these generational farms is how we get the best of the season, every year.
Adrian Baudains
Farming Director at Jersey Royal Company
Under the guidance of Jersey Bean, Adrian, both our in house farming team and independent growers work hand in hand to produce the best crop of Jersey Royals.
Joe has been surfing the plough for over 38 years
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Christine & Didier Hellio from Manor Farm
Both Christine and Didier’s families have been growing the much-loved Jersey Royals for generations. Didier’s parents came over from France in 1949 to work on a farm, fell in love with the island and decided to stay. They bought their own farm in 1978 and it has been in the family ever since. Experts in their ‘field’, the couple celebrate nature on their land and have created an area exclusively for wildlife, encouraging owls to nest by putting up boxes in the quiet areas.
When our children come home from London, the family celebrates with a delicious Jersey Lobster salad and boiled Jersey Royals with a garlic French dressing over the top – and a very large glass of white wine.
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Matthew Lamy
from Somerleigh Farms
Matthew’s father set up Somerleigh Farms in the late 60s when they moved to the west of Jersey. His family had been working in the farming industry for several generations and it is still family-run business today. For the Lamy family, farming is not just a career but a way of life that they are immensely proud of; Matt and his family feel extremely privileged to work and live on such a beautiful island. They work to ensure the traditional farming methods are preserved, from field to plate.
We’re very proud to be keeping the family tradition alive and share the same motto of; live, breath, eat and sleep the Jersey Royal Potato!
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Stephen & James Labey
from Labey Farms
Steve’s grandfather started farming tomatoes in Jersey in 1928 before the second World War and then branched out to grow the famous Jersey Royals. In 1989, Steve started his own farm on the same site as where his grandfather had worked and has now been in the industry for over 40 years. Steve’s son, James, is now helping drive the family farm forward. The Labey family enjoys being part of the local community and hosts a float for the Annual Battle of Flowers in August each year, Jersey’s biggest summer event.
My favourite thing about living and working on Jersey is having the countryside and the sea on our doorstep. You can see 5 miles of beach from our house – just a minute away if anyone fancies a swim!
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Steve Baudains
from Le Coin Farm
Looking back at their family history, the Baudains are farmers through and through. For over 150 years, their farm in the middle of the island has diversified and evolved as the times and growing processes have changed. Steve, from St Lawrence, grows Jersey Royal new potatoes, barley, grass and mustard throughout the year. Le Coin Farm put bird mix into the ground as a second crop after the Jersey Royals potatoes have finished which helps all sorts of birds and insects to thrive in the local area.
There’s nothing like the smell of freshly dug spuds in the morning!
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Paul, Peter and Matt Carres
The Carrés have a family-run business and share over one hundred years of experience in farming. Their connection to Albert Bartlett dates back to 2007 when their father/grandfather became the first supplier for the company as it embarked on its Jersey adventure. Today, they grow approximately 500 acres of Jersey Royals and are the largest user on the island of natural seaweed (known locally as Vraic), which they believe gives the potatoes their unique taste. They are members of the Assured Produce Scheme and are deeply committed to environmental conservation, setting aside wild grassland and woodland to encourage more wildlife
We believe the natural seaweed gives the potato its unique and original taste
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Phil and Peter Le Maistre
from Master Farms
Brothers Phil and Peter Le Maistre are seventh-generation Jersey Royal farmers, with their sons now working alongside them to continue the family legacy. Their mixed farm, known as Master Farms, is located in the south-east of Jersey and includes a large Jersey herd of cows, which plays a vital role in their sustainable farming practices. The farm has been passed down through six generations and combines traditional techniques, such as planting and harvesting by hand, with modern innovations to meet evolving demands. The family is deeply proud of their farming heritage, which extends beyond Jersey Royals to include organic vegetables and high-quality Jersey milk from their dairy herd.
The best way to eat Jersey Royals is as fresh as possible, boiled and served with Jersey butter. You can’t beat them like that!
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Ashley & Raoul Le Sech
Ashley represents the fourth generation of Le Sechs to be potato growers. He is a great believer in using as much natural fertilizer as possible, such as Vraic (or seaweed as it’s better known), which is a natural source of nitrogen and very good soil conditioner. His son, Raoul, is following in his footsteps.
If you look after nature, she will help look after you
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Nick Mourant from Meleches Farms
In 2007, Nick Mourant had the opportunity to restart farming at Meleches Farm in St Helier, and continue a family tradition of over 200 years. Meleches Farms is the island’s largest independent grower of Jersey Royal potatoes, owned and run by fifth generation farmer, Nick Mourant. The Mourant family can trace their Jersey farming roots back to the 16th century. We are passionate about our seasonal product, Jersey’s agricultural heritage and the natural environment.
