Derek Morris
My name is Derek Morris. I grow blackcurrants here in Somerset, with my father, mother, wife and son-in-law involved, it’s very much a family affair.
How long have you been growing blackcurrants?
We’ve been growing for over 60 years.
What varieties do you grow and in what region?
Here in Somerset we grow Ben Gain,Ben Vane, Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, Ben Hope, Ben Starov, Ben Dorrain, Ben Klebreck, Ben Alder, Ben Avon, Ben Tirren.
How much do you harvest annually and where do they go?
We average 350 tonnes.
What else do you grow?
We also grow potatoes.
Why do you love growing blackcurrants?
We like to see them from bare sticks and nurture them all the way to the end product.
Can you give one tip that people could benefit from when growing blackcurrants?
Plant your Blackcurrants facing the south (they get more sun).
Can you tell us about some of the ways in which you manage the land sustainably?
We keep grass strips and good hedgerows in all of our fields. We also plant nectar mixes.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy blackcurrants?
On a cheesecake, jam and in cordials.
If you were a blackcurrant artist what genre of art do you think best represents you in your growing approach and why?
Contemporary because the way I farm now is globally influenced. I use technology that is advancing, whilst trying to protect the wildlife to keep our lands diverse.