A farmer’s daybook is where they note everything going on with their herd; milk yields, health, behaviours, emotional states. Our online daybook is where you can keep up to date with the latest goings-on on the farm.
The farm and garden team have just planted almost a thousand plants on the farm to create a new hedge.
It has long been a policy of Biodynamic husbandry to keep cattle with horns. As well as the aesthetic value, the horns have an important function in the life of the cow.
Your choice to shop directly with your local farms is more important than you may realise.
Approaching the halfway mark in my 2-year placement here at Old Plaw Hatch Farm, the coming of the shorter days has allowed me to reflect on what has been one hell of a ride this past year.
Growing vegetables in a political climate that has very little understanding of how food actually gets from the producer to anyone’s kitchen table (let alone the unpredictability of that same climate) means we are very grateful to the crops that have been successes, and we move on quickly from those that were or are, to put it bluntly, failures. Let me briefly talk you through our growing year so far…
Recently we’ve seen a real surge in new customers and have also noticed that existing customers are coming much more frequently and seem to be doing the majority of their food shopping with us. These changes are rarely down to one thing, and I believe at the moment there are several reasons.
Firstly, because we would really love you to. Of course, at an AGM there is the dry procedural stuff, it’s a legal requirement, but there is so much more. It’s an opportunity to hear directly from the people who grow your food.
The summer is flying by and we have already started to get the first harvests off the fields like onions, potatoes and squash. The Spring was very late this year, however, Summer is not over yet.
The summer is flying by and we have already started to get the first harvests off the fields like onions, potatoes and squash. The Spring was very late this year, however, Summer is not over yet.
I recently took a trip up to Scotland. One stop was revisiting Findhorn where I originally fell in love with growing and learnt so much about the invisible aspects of what it is to become a gardener. I also went to Laurencekirk to meet up with Rose Bramwell at Balmakewan.
Read MoreWe have seen a noticeable increase in insect and bird life since the hedgerow down the main track behind the shop was planted. It runs along Home Field and then Holly Field. It has been a joy to watch it grow as it has become home, food and safety to many small birds, bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects.
Read MoreHuge congratulations to Josie, our butchery apprentice, for completing her apprenticeship and becoming a fully qualified butcher!
Read MoreA few weeks ago, Peter, Josie and I wound our way through the leafy lanes of Somerset to the River Cottage Headquarters for a day long course.
Read MoreWith the cost of living increasing, we are working hard to reduce the impact on customers.
Read MoreThe heat of summer means the Plaw Hatch pigs are spending time rooting and wallowing in mud and shade. Rosie and Vinny are in the garden, which means plenty of fresh greens too.
Read MoreVisitors to the farm recently may have noticed that one of our cows only has one eye.
Read MoreAndy first came to the farm twenty one years ago to run the milk round. We wish him the best of luck on his future adventures.
Read MoreChanges to the dairy herd can takes years to take effect. Herdsman, Robin, discusses the results of decisions made a number of years ago.
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Maya, Miriam and Louisa kicked the year off by attending the Oxford Real Farming Conference.