The importance of family in farming
July 14, 2026
In British farming, tradition isn’t something you consciously preserve, it’s something you live. Skills are passed down in muddy boots and early morning starts, in the quiet confidence of knowing how to fix something before it breaks, and in the shared pride of seeing a crop safely home. For the Farrington family, this passing of knowledge from one generation to the next is not just part of the job; it’s part of who they are.
As Duncan Farrington puts it, “We are a family business, and like other family businesses that last through the generations, there’s a certain amount of pride in ensuring continuity and success. You don’t want to be the one who drops the ball.” It’s a sentiment echoed across farms up and down the country: the understanding that while each generation brings new ideas and skills, the heartbeat of the farm remains the same.
Lessons from the past
Duncan’s own farming journey began with learning to drive a tractor. From there came welding, fixing, making and the traditional, hands-on skills that still defines our approach now. Robert, Duncan’s father, is still involved in his late seventies, and has passed down not just skills but a valuable work ethic that’s steady, capable and quietly determined – the foundation that shapes a farmer for life.
Watching the next generation step forward
Today, Duncan finds himself watching his daughters’ step into roles he once learned as a young man. Both are carving out careers in industries connected to agriculture, sustainability and rural property, gathering experiences they may one day bring back to the farm. Yet no matter where they are, they love returning home and getting stuck in, whether that’s driving a tractor, reversing a trailer, or simply being part of the rhythm of harvest.
There’s pride in seeing them take on these responsibilities and watching their confidence grow, knowing that the skills and values handed down through the years are being carried forward.
Why tradition matters
For the Farrington’s, farming is not just a business, it’s a way of life. Their diversified business means there’s a future for the next generation if they choose it, and a sense of continuity that feels both reassuring and deeply meaningful.
Harvest, in particular, brings this into sharp focus. It’s the time when everything intensifies, when long days stretch into longer nights and early alarms, and when every pair of hands makes a difference. Duncan’s father still takes his turn in the tractor, though he’s happy to share the hours now. Eli, Sophia and Amelia pitch in wherever needed, fetching parts, driving machinery, or providing the delicious homemade treats that keep everyone fuelled on the go.
Navigating the unpredictable together
Farming is demanding, unpredictable, and occasionally fraught. Working as a family doesn’t remove the tension, but it does create understanding. “We know each other’s good and bad habits,” Duncan says. Over the years, they’ve learned when to push on and when to pause, breathe, and reset.
And when the season finally wraps up, there’s a moment where they can look back and feel the satisfaction of having done it together. Duncan’s father, Robert; Stuart; Duncan himself; Eli; Angela (Duncan’s mother), and of course the girls. A whole family, each contributing in their own way, each part of the story.
