Following his Biology degree, Ashley took an MSc in Crop Protection, and now uses his biology and crop knowledge to run his organic market garden…

Name: Ashley Pearson
Job description: Self-employed organic grower

“I work on a seven-acre rented market garden, which I manage with my partner. I studied for a BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia, before moving on to a MSc in Crop Protection at the University of Bath (Long Ashton Research Station).

It’s definitely something that young people should get involved in. The Soil Association has started an apprenticeship scheme to help train a new cohort of organic growers. This is because the average age of farmers in general is nearing 60 and there is a lack of practical placements for specific organic experience and study.

My job can be very rewarding. Having Gardeners’ World come and film at our site last year was a highlight. They came to do a piece on our cutting garden as we’re growing lots of flowers at the moment. We take pride in making the market garden a tidy and attractive place to visit, with lots of seasonal visual interest.

Every day is different on the land, but there is obviously a strong seasonality to our activities. Sometimes I can pick and choose which tasks to do; at other times the weather has the final say. A lot of time is spent propagating, weeding and harvesting vegetables and flowers. In the winter, we’re busy planting perennial shrubs and plant stock, which is when most people think we are by the fire, taking it easy.

My market garden is in a very peaceful spot – on a farm by the Thames. Customers always comment on how lucky we are to live here.’’