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Click here or toggle down for April 08
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(07/05/08) |
Alistair Cooper of Sydling Brook
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Andrew Bradley at Quality Milk Management Services See Also "Quality Milk Management Services"
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Best in Dorset - Part 1, Janet and Martin Pook (Also see Part 2, At a Farmers' Market)
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Farm Placement Scheme
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The Empire Farm
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100 Years of the NFU - Mary James |
| Woodland Tales - Tony and
Mark Cottrell,
thatchers
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Woodland Tales - John Cody, Youth Worker |
John
Holman explains the changes here on Farm Radio.
Click
There
can be few things more satisfying than having other people gaze in
admiration at the fruits of your labour. And there was lots of admiring
gazing going on at the Kingston Maurward Apple and Harvest day back in
October. The horticultural students had created stunning displays from the
produce they’d grown, and they provided an impressive backdrop to the
various activities and workshops on offer. Having heard rumour of 6 foot
leeks and onions the size of footballs, Ali Grant couldn’t resist going
along for a nose.
A
startling headline claim that bees could face extinction within 10 years drew
Geoff Pagotto to visit Somerset Bee Keeper David Morris. The so called Colony
Collapse Disorder, or CCD, has been seen in hives across Europe the UK and the
United States, where it was first observed just two years ago. But are bees
really at that much risk? Geoff caught up with David as he prepared for
the start of the bee season.
On
a slightly blustery day at Shepton Montague, Geoff Pagotto found out from
organic farmer Oliver Dowding that there's an ill-wind blowing for
alternative medicines. Recent cutbacks by the NHS for homeopathy could
be the thin end of a wedge, Oliver warns.
Cannington
Grain is a shining example of what co-operating farmers can achieve.
It's just celebrated 30 years and Geoff Pagotto found out from their grain
marketeer Ian Eastwood what the next 30 might bring - in particular, the
next two seasons . . .
Janet
and Martin Pook take their Best in Dorset farmers markets to at least 5
regular venues a month, and then there’s the special events on top. One of
these was on Apple Day back in October, when they had their regular market
running at Verwood, as well as a special at the Kingston Maurward Apple and
Harvest Day. Ali Grant went along to talk to some of the producers, and to
see Janet in action.
Take
a drive around the lanes of Somerset and you’ll soon come across one of
several farm shops now competing for local custom. The notion of
diversification on the farm has been around for several years and there
seems no let up in not putting all your eggs in one basket. Broadacre Farm
on the Somerset Levels is the perfect example of such philosophy, since not
only does it produce its own free-range eggs, it’s also home to Gloucester
Old Spot and Tamworth Pigs, beef and lamb. James Harrison for Farm Radio called in on David Oram at his farm shop at Catsgore to sample the delights of farm diversity
at its best...
"If
you want to get ahead, get a hat" ran the slogan for Dunn & Co and for
Yorkshire farmers wife Beryl Otley 22 years ago it was the inspiration for
the name of her Farm House based hat co-operative - Get Ahead Hats. Geoff
Pagotto met the team inaugurating their first South West "shop" at 28 year
old Sue Bell's, Withy Fold Farm, Westhay in Somerset.
If
you’re a producer and take your food to sell at a Best in Dorset
farmers market, getting to the venue and selling your wares is
all that’s going to have to concern you. That’s because Janet
Pook will have sorted out everything else for you already. She
and her husband organise and run the Best in Dorset farmers
markets in several different p
arts
of the county every month, where you’ll find arguably some of
the finest food in the country. Their website’s well worth a
look too, with many stories and articles written by Martin, a
writer and graphic designer, as well as the man who puts up the
brollies on market days. Ali Grant visited the couple at home,
as they prepared for a special farmers market at Kingston
Maurward College. Janet told her how it all began.
A new scheme to create work placements on farms for people
with mental health problems is being poineered from the Whitfield Rural Activity
Centre near Dorchester. Project manager, Paul Smart, talks to Margery Hookings
about the scheme which is prompting interest from a number of small farms in
Dorset. Margery plans to return in a few month’s time to speak to farmers and
service users to find out how it is working for them. 
Colleen
Jackson recently visited The Empire Farm on the outskirts of
Templecombe in the Blackmore Vale, Somerset, and talked to Sally
Morgan about the 100 acre organic farm. Sally and her husband,
Adrian, raise fowl and are keen to promote traditional and
endangered breeds. They keep a small breeding flock of
Dorsetdown and Southdown sheep and a herd of Gloucester Old Spot
and Saddleback pigs. They are also currently running a series of
courses. Sally said the livestock courses are ideal for people
who own, or want to own, a smallholding and keep some poultry
and animals, or maybe just want to spend a day on a farm gaining
some new skills. The butchery, smoking, curing, sausage-making
and game courses are great for foodies, chefs and smallholders
who want to learn how to add value to their meat.
One of the groups using