'Crazy Englishman' growing olives the Italian way

David Hoyles, a farmer in Lincolnshire, is successfully growing a commercial olive crop in the UK due to changing climate conditions. He planted 18,000 olive tree saplings from Spain in 2024 after collaborations with Italian farmers, earning him the nickname "crazy Englishman." Hoyles has adapted specialist techniques for olive cultivation and believes in diversifying crops to address climate change challenges. His innovative approach includes renewable energy sources and water management to support the olive grove's growth in a non-traditional region.