​From Spinach Fields to Future Farming: How Alex Worth Navigates a Changing Agricultural Landscape

Exploring resilience, generational farming, and inspiring new talent on the MorePeople Podcast

In this episode of The MorePeople Podcast, CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice sits down with farm manager Alex Worth of AH Worth, a fifth-generation farming and fresh produce business rooted in the Lincolnshire fens. From adapting to extreme weather to attracting the next generation of talent, this wide-ranging conversation offers a grounded, honest look into what it means to grow food in the UK today.

A Career Grounded in Farming Heritage

Alex’s journey into agriculture was shaped early on. Growing up around farming, he found himself captivated by harvesters in the fields and working alongside farm teams whenever he could. But even with a strong family connection, he chose to gain experience outside the home business first.

Before joining AH Worth, Alex worked at neighbouring farms on onion and potato operations - keen to avoid the “boss’s son” stereotype and learn the craft from the ground up.

He went on to study agriculture at Newcastle University, though the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped his experience dramatically.

“Studying agriculture online wasn’t ideal - you want to be out on the farm, not behind a screen. But it was still a great time.”

Rugby once competed with farming for Alex’s future, but a realisation in his late teens set him firmly on the path to agriculture and ultimately back to the family business.

Managing Spinach, Strategy & Seasonality

Today, Alex is the Farm Manager for Worth Farms’ produce business, overseeing spinach and multiple other crop-growing operations. AH Worth grows across the UK, Italy, and Spain, supplying retailers with spinach, leeks, kale, cavolo nero, and more.

His entry into the role came at a pivotal moment as the business took on new operations from Emmett Farming.

“It was the right time for me and for the business. I had to learn spinach from scratch, but with a great team around me, it was an exciting challenge.”

Farming, Alex emphasises, isn’t a job it’s a lifestyle. While Worth Farms has built structures around work-life balance, the realities of the weather, crop needs, and customer expectations often demand long hours and utmost dedication.

Weather Extremes, Water Scarcity & the Resilience Challenge

The 2024 season brought some of the toughest weather in decades, with conditions drawing comparisons to the heat and drought of 1976.
For Alex, this meant adapting at speed:

• irrigating at night

• spraying at cooler hours

• shifting land allocations

• expanding water-security plans

• investing in drainage and long-term infrastructure

“Control your controllables. You can’t prevent extremes, but you can plan. You need a plan for a normal year and a plan for ‘what happens if?’”

The team at AH Worth is now investing heavily in future-fit systems, from varietal development to long-term soil and water strategies, ensuring resilience for seasons still to come.

Sustainability, Soil Health & Farming for the Next Generation

With AH Worth now in its fifth generation, long-term thinking isn’t optional, it’s the backbone of the business.

While Alex avoids the buzzwords around regenerative farming, he and the team are committed to responsible land stewardship:

• cover crops during winter

• environmental margins and schemes

• reduced cultivation passes where appropriate

• long-term drainage projects

• sustainable rotation planning

“I’d love future generations of our family to be involved. I don’t want to be the one who didn’t invest in the future.”

The focus is on striking a balance between sustainability and the realities of growing high-value crops on Lincolnshire’s famed silts.

Bringing Young People into Farming

One of the biggest industry challenges? Talent.

Agriculture struggles to attract people who don’t come from a farming background - something Alex feels strongly about.

“It’s a lifestyle. It’s not nine-to-five. And that can make it hard to bring in people from outside the sector.”

But initiatives like LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday and school outreach are proving powerful. AH Worth hosts events and collaborates with local schools to demystify where food comes from and spark early interest.

The industry, Alex believes, needs to take ownership of this challenge and tell its story better.

Opening the Farm Gates Through Social Media

One way AH Worth is opening that story is through social media. The business has embraced video, behind-the-scenes content, and regular updates to show the real work behind bagged spinach or a bunch of leeks on supermarket shelves.

“It’s everyday life for us, but people outside the business love seeing it. Our Instagram has got really busy recently.”

Alex laughs off the suggestion that he’s becoming an influencer, but he’s fully supportive of using digital platforms to build awareness, reputation, and curiosity about the sector.

Final Thoughts: Heritage, Hard Work & Helping the Industry Evolve

Alex’s story is rooted deeply in heritage but shaped by modern challenges; weather extremes, technological demands, sustainability pressures, and a changing workforce.

He is part of the next generation stepping into leadership roles, managing uncertainty with level-headed planning, and helping the industry open its doors to the public and future talent.

“We throw a lot of blood, sweat and tears into growing food. But it’s worth it because the customer expects food on the shelves, and it’s our job to make that happen.”

To hear the full conversation, tune into the latest episode of The MorePeople Podcast — and keep an eye on AH Worth’s social channels for more insights into life behind the crops.

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