Birch Airfield Composting Services was set up by the Strathern Family in 2002 in response to a requirement to recycle garden waste collected by Essex County Council.  Over the years BACS has gradually grown into a thriving business capable of recycling in the region of 40,000T of organic waste every year.

The Strathern family began farming in Essex in 1930 when Jim Strathern’s parents moved from Ayrshire, Scotland to Heath Farm, Birch, Essex. The family now farm approximately 1500 acres which is in arable rotation.

Angela holds the WAMITAB Operator Competence Certificate for Waste Management Operations: Composting Biodegradable Wastes. Andrew is involved with both the arable and composting side of the business. Robert operates his potato growing, processing and crisp manufacture at Fairfields Farm, Wormingford. He initiated and manufactures Fairfields Farm crisps.