IT was a farm that pioneered a new method of milk production. It was a home for the elderly, then a haven for refugees. And from today The Garth in New Earswick has another use entirely: the offices for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Nearly 100 years ago, White Rose Farm became part of Joseph Rowntree's grand plan for a model village. He bought the land in April 1902, and Carl Sorensen took over the dairy operation.

He was a pioneer in methods of milk production, having built up a knowledge of the industry in his native Denmark and later in New Zealand.

"The city council wanted to establish a depot for the supply of cheap, fresh milk," said Roland Crooke, director of housing operations at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Sorensen achieved this by reducing contamination. The cows were inspected once a month by a vet, fed "scientifically" without recourse to brewers' grains "or other unsuitable foods", and kept in scrupulously clean and well-ventilated buildings.

Mr Sorenson retired in 1940 and by 1948 his successor had vacated the farmhouse. The trustees decided to convert it into a home for the elderly, releasing further estate land for housing, and in 1949 the original farmhouse was converted into an old people's home and renamed The Garth.

Eight residents could be looked after with meals provided. In 1960, ten self-contained flats were added and it was called Garth Court.

With the creation of Hartrigg Oaks, Britain's first "continuing care retirement community", The Garth was no longer needed as an old people's home. In 1999 it was converted into a hostel for Kosovan refugees who had fled their war-torn homeland. More recently it was decided to turn the building into offices and a resident service centre for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's housing operations department. The conversion cost £1.2 million.

This weekend, staff made the move from their old base in cramped Homestead in York to these smart new offices.

Brian Jardine, brought up in New Earswick, is project manager, continuing a long family connection with the Rowntree dynasty.

His father worked at the factory. "Every Saturday Joseph Rowntree would take a member of his staff to Scarborough to discuss work issues," says Mr Jardine.

"My father, being a middle senior manager, was one of those who were taken."

In The Garth's new incarnation, tenants will be able to call in to settle their rents or discuss problems.

Even though it will boast computerised technology, Mr Jardine believes "astute businessman" Joseph Rowntree would have understood the idea behind The Garth.

"I am sure he would feel very at home in it, even though it's very different to what he knew in the 19th century.

"He would have appreciated the idea of giving good services to our clients."