The Pimhill Story: A Legacy of Sustainable Farming

At Pimhill our roots run deep. Our long-standing commitment to quality and pioneering practices started when Sam Mayall began farming at Pimhill in 1923. He originally ran a mixed farm of cattle, sheep and some arable crops.

He established a local milk round in the 1930s selling ‘clean milk’, i.e. tuberculosis free. Sam Mayall’s herd was the second herd in Shropshire to achieve this status.

His son, Richard, decided to join his father in the farming business.

The transformative moment came, in 1948, when Richard and Sam read ‘Humus and the Farmer’ by Friend Sykes. The book reinforced their firm belief in the importance of soil health and farming in harmony with nature, and it led to their decision, in 1949, to break with convention and avoid using artificial fertilizers and chemicals – a move which saw Pimhill become one of the first ‘Organic Farms’ in the UK.

A bold move made not for profit, but out of knowledge that healthier soil leads to healthier crops, animals and people. This forward-thinking approach established Pimhill as a trailblazer in sustainable farming and inspired generations to follow.

Sam Mayall later met Lady Eve Balfour and became involved in the recently formed Soil Association, becoming Vice President for a number of years. It was in the 1950s that they decided to invest in a small hammer mill. They reasoned that if the cereals they were growing were better for their animals, it followed that they should be milling their own wheat into flour for the farmhouse. Sam and Richard added oats and then muesli to the range in the 1950s.

Word spread quickly about Pimhill’s exceptional quality, and due to demand Pimhill Mill evolved into an important organic farm enterprise, making it a staple for wholefood shops, bakeries and families across the UK.

Richard’s daughter, Ginny, joined her father at Pimhill in 1988, and the R. Mayall & Daughter partnership was formed. Together, they stayed true to the principles and organic practices which were at the heart of Pimhill – providing wholesome, sustainable nourishment for modern families.

Today, Pimhill Farm are proud to uphold the values and traditions that have defined Pimhill for nearly a century. With a renewed focus on sustainability, gut health, and innovation, Pimhill continues to deliver the same artisanal quality and ethical organic principles that built its’ name.