Farming has always sustained the village of East Garston since the Neolithic period (5800 - 2300BC) when people changed from nomadic living to settlement and animal husbandry.  Research published by the Berkshire Archaeological Society shows clear evidence of Roman farming on the downs from Lamboum along to East Garston.  This possibly overlaid earlier cultivation systems.  Aerial photos show traces of ancient field systems, a barrow around Warren Farm, other barrows and linear ditches north and north-west of Cranes Farm, along with field systems at Nut Wood.There is evidence of strip terrace cultivation caused by ploughing in the fifteenth century on the land of  Westield Farm.  Downland sheep have been the area's economic mainstay, but dairying has also been important to East Garston