In the picturesque countryside that spans the Limpsfield and Edenbridge border, one name stands out in the agricultural world: Simon Chiles. A veteran farmer and agricultural contractor, Simon has lived in the farmland area of Limpsfield his entire life and has quietly become a linchpin of the local farming community, managing operations on numerous farms across the Surrey and Kent border area. 

With more than five decades of experience under his belt, he offers not only a wealth of knowledge about the land but also a vision for its future—one that balances productivity with preservation. 

Farming today stands at a crossroads. Rising costs, unpredictable weather, and shifting government policies have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to plan for the future. Since Brexit, the phasing out of EU subsidies and the slow rollout of new Environmental Land Management schemes have created uncertainty across the industry. At the same time, farmers are being asked to do more than ever — not just to produce food, but to help tackle climate change, restore biodiversity, and manage the landscape for future generations.

In this challenging context, farmers like Simon are quietly getting on with the job — drawing on decades of experience to adapt, innovate, and care for the land. While policymakers debate priorities and public attention shifts, it’s farmers on the ground who understand the daily realities of agriculture. In our conversation below, Simon provides insight into the pressures facing British farming today — and why supporting those who work the land has never mattered more…

Simon’s farming journey didn’t begin with inheritance but with a calling. “I wasn’t born into farming,” he shares. “I wanted to be a farmer from an early age although sadly in hindsight it was a poor career choice!” Starting with odd jobs on local farms, Simon had already mastered ploughing fields and other key operations by the age of 13. That early start led to a life immersed in agriculture—a passion he now shares with his son, Jacob.

Together, the Chiles family manages a mixture of arable farming and haymaking, alongside a broad portfolio of contracting services that include hedge cutting, pond maintenance, and forestry mulching. Their contracting work spans from Leatherhead to Chichester and as far as Swanley, while their farming operations are more locally rooted. “We farm our own land and the land for eight other landowners in the area,” Simon says, producing up to 50,000 bales of hay and straw annually—most of it for the equestrian market.

But farming today is not what it was five decades ago. “Farming has become gradually more difficult throughout my career,” Simon explains. “We’re getting the same amount of money for most commodities these days as we were 40 years ago, while input costs have risen dramatically.” The economic squeeze has led Simon and other forward-thinking farmers to adapt—not just to survive, but to safeguard the land and the future of the industry itself.

Central to Simon’s approach is what he refers to as “working with nature rather than fighting against it.” Although he’s reluctant to use buzzwords, Simon has been practicing what is now commonly known as regenerative farming for over 25 years. “All farming is regenerative,” he says. “A better description is that we take the best bits from conventional and organic farming. Like all things in life, a compromise is often the best solution.”

Simon’s commitment to sustainable methods is tangible. Precision farming technology—such as auto-steering tractors, seeding accuracy, and yield mapping (you should see his kit!)—has been part of his operation for decades. He has also participated in advanced research trials with Plantworks, focusing on soil health through natural symbiotic organisms like Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. These efforts aim to reduce dependence on artificial fertilisers and agrochemicals, while enhancing plant vitality and yields.

A diverse crop rotation strategy sets the Chiles-managed farms apart. Beyond standard cereals, they’ve experimented with triticale, lupins, soya, millet, vetch, and phacelia. Their involvement in DEFRA research with Newcastle University on protein crops and life cycle analysis shows their dedication to sustainable agricultural science.

And the results? Their land is buzzing with life. “Our farming system no longer uses insecticides,” Simon notes, a move that has had a noticeable impact on local biodiversity. Over the past year, Simon and Jacob have planted 500 acres of herbal leys and legume fallows—further enhancing biodiversity, fixing nitrogen in the soil, and cutting fertiliser use without reducing crop yield.

Their efforts are paying off in visible ways. “Last year and this year we had two pairs of Lapwings nesting locally,” Simon proudly shares. These iconic farmland birds used to be common on our fields, but are now on the red list of endangered species, making their return a remarkable success. But Simon warns that this fragile progress can be quickly undone. Irresponsible behaviour from some members of the public—straying off footpaths, letting dogs run free, and littering—threatens these conservation gains.

Simon is also taking action against invasive species and environmental degradation. Recent work includes dredging four metres of silt from a local pond and clearing acres of Himalayan Balsam, a problematic invasive plant. These hands-on interventions are all part of a bigger picture—restoring and preserving the delicate ecosystems that underpin rural life.

But the future is not just about soil and seeds. It’s also about people. And here, Simon voices a growing concern: “I can only think of two other young people of Jacob’s age that are likely to be farming in the whole of Limpsfield.” With fewer young farmers entering the field, the long-term viability of local agriculture—and the landscapes it supports—is at risk. “If the land becomes abandoned, it will soon resort to a dumping ground for fly tippers and kids on motorbikes.”

The consequences extend beyond aesthetics. “We will become increasingly dependent on imported produce from countries with lower food and animal welfare standards than ours,” Simon cautions, “and more precious rainforest will need to be flattened to feed us.”

Farmers like Simon Chiles don’t just talk about biodiversity and sustainable agriculture — they’ve been quietly practicing it for decades. While academics can offer guidance and theory, it’s farmers who truly understand what works on the ground. Farming is in crisis, and we must do everything we can to support it — from inspiring younger generations to valuing the role it plays in our heritage, economy, and environment.

Simon and his fellow farmers are not just producing food—they’re cultivating a legacy. Through sustainable practices, scientific partnerships, and a profound respect for the land, they are proving that farming for the future isn’t just possible—it’s essential. In a rapidly changing world, their work stands as a reminder that the future of food, wildlife, and rural life depends on the seeds we plant today.

So next time you walk through the beautiful farmland south of Limpsfield — along Itchingwood Road, Guildables Lane, Monks Lane, Grants Lane and beyond — take a moment to reflect on the hard work that goes into sustaining these landscapes. Farming doesn’t just shape the land; it shapes our future. Supporting it means preserving something essential — for today, and for generations to come.

Sophie Martin