The Lee Family’s Commitment to Sustainable Farming and Self-Storage at Handley Park Farm

The Lee Family’s Commitment to Sustainable Farming and Self-Storage at Handley Park Farm

For over 30 years, the Lee family has called Handley Park home, contributing to a farming legacy that spans five generations in the Towcester area. Today, the farm is managed by Joe Lee, who works alongside his wife Jo and his parents, John and Sarah. While John and Sarah live on-site at the farm, Joe and Jo live nearby with their four daughters and a variety of animals, adding to the vibrant, rural life of the property.

In recent years, the Lees have taken a step toward rural sustainability and diversification through their Barn Store project. The initiative involves repurposing unused farm buildings, including an old cattle shed, to create secure self-storage facilities at Handley Park Farm. This transformation was made possible by a grant from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the European Union, aimed at supporting rural sustainability and enhancing local employment opportunities.

The Barn Store project at Towcester is funded by The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and supported by DEFRA and the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Together, these organizations promote investment in rural areas, helping farms like Handley Park Farm adapt to changing times while still preserving their agricultural roots.

Today, the Barn Store provides residents of Towcester and the surrounding areas with a convenient, secure self-storage solution right in the heart of the countryside. Through this venture, the Lee family not only supports the community’s storage needs but also furthers their dedication to sustainable farming practices and rural development. The project embodies the Lees’ commitment to their land and their community, ensuring that Handley Park Farm continues to thrive for generations to come.