Guy Singh-Watson, founder of Riverford Organic Farmers Guy has made a name for himself as one of the featured advocates for the farming community. Known for his unwavering honesty about the agricultural industry, Singh-Watson’s journey began in 1986 when he left a management consultancy job in New York and returned to his family’s farm in Devon for Christmas. Gillian and John Watson, dairy farmers, reared Singh-Watson with four other siblings. All of them play key roles in their state’s meat and dairy industries, highlighting this family’s long history in agriculture.
When she returned home, Singh-Watson launched Riverford on only three acres. Fast forward to today, and the social enterprise has experienced phenomenal growth, with a £113 million turnover projection for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Moreover, it has so far made a profit of £5.7 million. Though highly successful today, Singh-Watson remains committed to addressing some of the environmentally damaging effects of food production. Specifically, he targets meat consumption, arguing that it is simply unsustainable in a world facing increased population and the realities of climate change.
A Family Legacy and Entrepreneurial Spirit
Guy Singh-Watson’s childhood on a livestock farm made him disillusioned with industrial agriculture at an early age. His father, John Watson, was a farm-based educator, who gained a reputation for his radical methods, having started a low-carbon commune in his later years. This context shaped Singh-Watson’s understanding of the farming industry and idea of sustainability.
When he returned to organic farming full-time in 1986, the corporate world was his only professional reality for almost two decades. “That was definitely a plan, and an emotional thing, that no one was going to fuck me over like I was fucked over by supermarkets and their very unpleasant buyers,” Singh-Watson remarked about his transition into agriculture.
Though she began with just three acres, Singh-Watson’s dream for Riverford was apparent from day one. His goal was to develop a farming model that delivered organic fruits and vegetables. Simultaneously, he focused on disrupting the industry’s traditional standards. His dedication to meaningful transparency and sustainability has struck a chord with consumers, allowing Riverford to increase its reach and grow exponentially over the decades.
Riverford now works with more than 100 independent growers and suppliers across the UK and Europe, getting fresh seasonal produce into the boxes delivered to their customers’ doors. This huge network is a testament to Singh-Watson’s commitment to local farmers as well as upholding rigorous standards to ensure the highest quality organic products.
Advocacy for Sustainable Practices
Singh-Watson’s advocacy goes beyond organic farming. He has long spoken out about the urgent need for more plant-based dietary practices. He argues that the future meat consumption levels that many envision—particularly in Western diets—aren’t just impractical, they’re unsustainable. This is deeply troubling considering projections that the world’s population may be ten billion by mid-century.
“Ten billion people can’t live sustainably on this planet if we are eating anything like the level of meat consumed in a western diet,” he asserted. “The only answer is we just eat less meat, dairy and eggs.”
His views have not been without controversy. Nevertheless, he has received fierce criticism for his opposition to Brexit. He thinks it endangers not just the agricultural community, but environmental legislation tied to Europe. “Just about everything that I said has turned out to be true: it has been a complete and utter fuck-up. How can anyone argue anything else? Now we’re having to crawl back to Europe,” he stated.
Singh-Watson on the wealth redistribution that she fervently promotes. He’s convinced that the rich need to do their fair share to support a civil society. “The rich need to pay their share to restore the services that are wanted,” he emphasized during discussions on economic inequality. His work with campaigns such as Patriotic Millionaires UK serves as a testament to his dedication to dealing with these inequities.
The Future of Farming and Personal Aspirations
Singh-Watson, 65, shows no signs of wanting to step down. Rather, he wants to focus on achievable objectives for his firm’s operations. He’s still an active force engaging with the community and advocating for innovative inclusive eco-minded farming practices that mirror his values.
“I love seeing the cows and sheep in the fields, and I’m not a vegan or vegetarian,” he shares, reflecting his appreciation for traditional farming alongside his push for sustainability.
What he dreams of most is the perfect model in which Riverford continues to make a good profit while sticking to its principles. His determination is evident in statements like, “In an ideal world, it would be commercially successful without compromising on its values, and thereby show that it is possible to do business in a different way.”
Singh-Watson’s journey is a testament to the difference one person can make as an advocate for innovative, responsible farming practices. They’re just as deeply grounded in their hometowns. What sets him apart is his frankness on the state of agriculture today. Booker is no ordinary farmer – he’s one of the most influential leaders in America’s booming debate on sustainable food.