Posts in Farm

A new hedge

The farm and garden team have just planted almost a thousand plants on the farm to create a new hedge.

Farm, Environment, January, Sustainability, Winter, WoodlandKitty M12 January 2024Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

Why cows have horns

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.

Farm, Cows, Dairy, JanuaryKitty M9 January 2024Plaw Hatch FarmComment

A year as a farm Apprentice

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.

Autumn, Apprentices, Farm, TrainingKitty M23 November 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Woodland update

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.

Environment, August, Farm, Volunteers, WoodlandKitty M4 August 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Our kind of hedge fund

We 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.

Environment, July, Sustainability, Farm, Summer, VolunteersKitty M16 July 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

The new beginnings of charcuterie

A 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.

July, Training, Butchery, FarmKitty M9 July 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

In the parlour

The milking parlour is like a bridge between the farm and the dairy. Connecting the pasture and the daily life of the herd to the bottling of milk, cheese and yoghurt making; the parlour is that transition point of receiving this gift from the land and from the cows.

Cows, June, Dairy, Farm, MilkKitty M26 June 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

Raising calves

For every bottle of cows’ milk there is a story of a cow and a calf.

Cows, June, Dairy, FarmKitty M22 June 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Holistic Land Management

This February, all the members of the Plaw Hatch management group took part in a 3-day Holistic Management Course. Holistic Management, like biodynamics, is about working with the whole farm organism and with, rather than against, ecosystem processes.

Farm, Arable, Cows, Environment, June, Sheep, SustainabilityKitty M19 June 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

Who remembers Maggie?

Long standing customers of Plaw Hatch Farm may remember a horse called Maggie, who used to hang out in the shop.

Farm, Shop, Staff, MayKitty M25 May 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

A home for strays

Back in 2018 we decided to try re-homing a couple of feral cats on the farm.

Environment, Farm, Staff, MayKitty M17 May 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Woodland Regen Project update

This year, there has been good progress with the regeneration of the site of the woodland project at Plaw Hatch.

April, Spring, Farm, Environment, Volunteers, WoodlandKitty M20 April 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

End of chicken lockdown

This week on the farm we celebrated the lifting of avian bird flu housing measures. Watching the hens go back onto fresh pasture is a great relief after six months of restricted housing for our hens.

April, Spring, Chickens, FarmKitty M18 April 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Full Moon piglets 🌝🌚🌝

GingerElla, our Oxford Sandy and Black (OSB) sow, farrowed a week earlier than her due date this month on the full moon.

March, Pigs, FarmKitty M8 March 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

All my thoughts

There are times when there is so much in my head. Mostly questions. A few ideas. The answers can take a while to formulate. Sometimes there isn’t an answer and it’s an ongoing dilemma. Here’s a taste of some of my current thoughts

Farm, Packaging, Shop, Staff, Sustainability, Volunteers, FebruaryKitty M26 February 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

Hello from Rhys: the farm apprentice

Hi, I’m Rhys the Apprentice Farmer at Plaw Hatch Farm.

Farm, Volunteers, February, Apprentices, StaffKitty M14 February 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Accommodation for students

One of the key aims of Biodynamic farming is education. Every year we get a number of students (age 15+) from German Waldorf schools on work experience. We have limited accommodation onsite, so if you or someone you know has a spare room locally and you are enthusiastic about encouraging the next generation of farmers, please get in touch, we’d really appreciation your support.

Garden, Farm, VolunteersKitty M27 January 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Consider your local abattoir

Small local abattoirs are essential for organic farmers across Sussex and Kent, but they are closing at an alarming rate. Your voice might help to make a difference.

Butchery, Farm, Meat, JanuaryKitty M19 January 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Our longest serving volunteer

Michael Moon has been working as a volunteer at Plaw Hatch Farm since 2009.

January, Farm, Cows, Milk, VolunteersKitty M10 January 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Textile Treasures

Wool is a wonderful fibre but is much underused in fashion and textiles. When it is, farmers get a woeful amount per fleece. Bella, who volunteered with us earlier in the year, is hoping the work of the Fibreshed movement is starting to change this.

November, Farm, Sheep, WoolKitty M24 November 2022Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

9 Jan 2024

23 Nov 2023

27 Oct 2023

The realities of a garden

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…

24 Oct 2023

Supply and demand

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.

24 Aug 2023

Why should I go to the AGM?

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.