A final note
NIR HALFON
For the past few years I have written articles (almost) monthly about the garden at Plaw Hatch Farm. The articles describe the rhythms of the garden. In the spring I write about cultivation and sowing and in the autumn about harvesting and storing. The seasons are told through different people who come and help, activities, crops and personal reflections.
The farm, in Biodynamic farming, is looked at as an organism. That means that the farm is a living entity which, as all living organisms do, has cycles and rhythms. It has organs which have different and specific functions. The different organs communicate and cooperate with each other to support the whole. It is said that in the farm organism, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. From a practical point of view the farm organism is a self-contained entity. A healthy farm will strive to produce all its feed and fertility.
The farm is also an individuality. Each farm is unique. It has a particular climate, soil and geology, topography, location, specific wild plants and animals, social environments etc. No two farms are the same. Each farm will be unique in its biography which is very much connected to the constellation of people who farm the land and rear the livestock. At Plaw Hatch, somewhere interwoven between the daily milking, the cow herd, the smaller livestock, the vegetable garden, the office, shop, dairy and butchery, exists its unique spirit.
In a traditional family farm, these qualities of individuality and soul are passed on from generation to generation. It is embedded in the family’s traditions and genes. The two grow and develop together. Unfortunately, this structure faces many challenges today. The next generation often prefers not to farm.
Plaw Hatch is different. As a community owned farm, it is more transitional in nature. People come here, they engage, get inspired and move on to radiate the special qualities of this place to the wider world. It is the blessing and the curse of this place. God knows how challenging and rewarding it can be when people live and work together in such a tight environment. It is a blessing to have such an excellent team to grow with. It is wonderful to see new energy and new ideas come into the farm. New innovations tested. However, the farm pays a price for these changes. It takes time for a farmer to learn the secrets of their soil, the right timings, the appropriate methods for each place, the character of each field. It takes time to develop a strong connection to place and work with it in harmony. A mistake in farming can, sometimes, take years to correct. Overall, I think it is worth it. The good deeds of Plaw Hatch extend beyond the farm's boundaries. The dedication of every team member in the farm means that actions are taken conscientiously and responsibly.
When I arrived here first in 2002, it was my dream to manage the garden and be part of the farm. I feel fortunate to have been given this chance and to have found myself in a position to be intimately touched by the Plaw Hatch spirit. I feel grateful to have worked with the land and shared time and space with the people at Plaw Hatch: the staff, the vast number of volunteers and the local community. However, I don’t believe it is a place to grow old. So, it is time for me to move on, to take the inspiration, the experiences, the love and the challenges, to other places. My plans are to pursue my passion for education and training. I hope to be able to bring some of Plaw Hatch to Plumpton, where my next stop is.
As a family we had many years of good times. Plaw Hatch is an opportunity for a family to experience health, growth and to enjoy adventures in 200 acres of back garden. Our children loved feeding lambs and raising chickens, working in the shop and butchery, rowing boats around the island in the pond and many more good memories. Ioonah loved developing her apiary for pollination and practicing natural beekeeping.
We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to live and be part of the farm for the past (almost) 8 years. Everyone who leaves Plaw Hatch Farm carries it deeply in their being, whether they stayed 3 weeks, 3 months or 10 years. We love Plaw Hatch and hope to continue our connection with the place as visitors and consumers.