Jill Vaughan

Spending the first 18 years of my life in Wiltshire, I developed a deep love of the countryside. From the very first soil profile pit I saw, I was hooked and decided to combine my interests in geography and agriculture by becoming a Soil Scientist. I studied geography and geology at London University followed by Soil Science at Aberdeen before becoming a Soil Scientist for the Ministry of Agriculture in Leeds, then Cambridge. After 16 years I joined my husband’s plant raising business Delfland Nurseries.

We have been producing plants to Soil Association standards for 19 years. Customers range in size from large companies supplying the multiples to growers who sell direct via local box schemes and farmers’ markets. My work includes managing our two online shops which sell plants to gardeners (www.organicplants.co.uk) and small growers (www.delfland.co.uk).
I believe that an ecological and preferably local and organic approach is the only way to feed the world sustainably. I want as many people as possible to grow some of their own food. This minimises food miles and helps people to appreciate the skill of commercial growers.

I love gardening, running and studying English Literature. My greatest achievements are my two wonderful daughters.