Prince Charles to quit his landmark Duchy Originals farm after 35 years
PRINCE Charles is set to quit his landmark “Duchy Originals” farm after 35 years.
He will not renew the lease on 900-acre Home Farm, which he turned organic in 1985.
Charles is instead set to convert Sandringham into the country’s biggest organic sheep farm. Home Farm, at Highgrove in Gloucestershire, launched the Duchy Originals food boxes now sold by Waitrose and Ocado.
Charles was mocked for using “biodynamic” methods in the 1980s, such as planting in lunar cycles and using homeopathic remedies.
But many techniques have since been copied.
It is understood the prince, 71, could not commit to a 20-year lease because he will be expected to become king at some point.
An insider said: “It will be a wrench to give up Home Farm but the prince will continue to farm organically at Sandringham.”
The tenancy will be officially signed over next April with a successor announced later this year.
The 2,000-acre Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which Charles took over from Prince Philip last year, was given organic status this summer.
A spokesman for the prince declined to comment.
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