"Farm Radio" on the Telly
  Click
here to watch Freddie Rostand's report from BBC South Today.
(29/05/08)
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Quality Milk Management Services
See also
"Andrew Bradley at QMMS"
Ever wondered what happens to your
cow's milk sample on it's journey through the laboratory, well, Geoff
Pagotto had a tour of Quality Milk Management Services in
Westbury-sub-Mendip with Barbara Payne, who is in charge of the Laboratory,
and technician Emily Combes to find out . . . and he also discovered why
labs seem full of females!
www.qmms.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(28/05/08)
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KINGSTON MAURWARD APPLE AND
HARVEST DAY
 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.
Click on the bale to listen
(22/05/08)
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ANNOUNCEMENT!
Open Farm Sunday - "Feed Your
Senses"
June 1st.
www.farmsunday.org
Click on the bale to listen
(22/05/08)
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Long Crichel Walled Garden
Annie Sax was planning on going back
to nursing after the birth of her second child. But her desire to become a
gardener was so strong that she decided to change her career. A garden owned
by a local bakery in the village of Long Crichel in Dorset had already been
certified organic but wasn’t being cultivated, so Annie swapped her nurses
uniform for jeans and wellies, and got stuck into the soil. Ali Grant went
to the garden to speak to Annie and some of the volunteers who have also
played a huge role in its success.
Now listen to
"LONG CRICHEL HERB GARDEN"
For more information:
Tel - 01258 830295
www.longcrichelbakery.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(21/05/08)
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Trouble in the Hives
 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.
David Morris
e-mail:
www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk
Also see Defra Bee Consultation document:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/bee-health/index.htm
Click on the bale to listen
(20/05/08)
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Oliver Dowding Fears for the
Future of Homeopathy
 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.
Click
here to read the NHS-commissioned report on homeopathic services:
Click
here for the online petition:
Click
here for how to get homeopathic treatment on the NHS:
Click on the bale to listen
(19/05/08)
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Cannington Grain
 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 . . .
E-mail
www.grainfarmers.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(14/05/08)
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Leigh and Jon Hext
Ever wondered what police officers
do to relax? Well, Leigh and Jon Hext, both serving officers, come
back to their small-holding and spend their spare time tending their sheep,
chickens, pigs and, shortly, Red Devon cattle. Farm Radio's John
Burgess visited them to see how it all works out.
Click on the bale to listen
(14/05/08)
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ANNOUNCEMENT!
Bournemouth World Food Festival
July 12th and 13th.
www.bournemouthfoodfestival.co.uk
E-mail
Click on the bale to listen
(12/05/08)
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BEST IN DORSET – PART
2, AT A FARMERS MARKET
(Also see Part 1, Janet and Martin Pook)
 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.
Contact:www.bestindorset.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(07/05/08)
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Broadacre Farm
 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...
www.broadacrefarmshop.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(07/05/08)
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Get Ahead Hats
 "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.
Beryl Otley
e-mail
Sue Bell e-mail
www.getaheadhats.co.uk
Click on the bale to listen
(07/05/08) |
Alistair Cooper of Sydling Brook
Farm Radio’s Joss Vining visits
Alistair Cooper on his farm, Sydling Brook, in the heart of Dorset to find
out what motivated him to enter the world of farming and to talk about the
ideas that he is developing with his unusual perspective on the enterprise.
Click on the bale to listen
(07/05/08)
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