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.
Maya, Miriam and Louisa kicked the year off by attending the Oxford Real Farming Conference.
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.
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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreLong standing customers of Plaw Hatch Farm may remember a horse called Maggie, who used to hang out in the shop.
Read MoreSo, the new till system is finally installed. It’s up and running and I think it’s fair to say we’re pretty damned happy with it.
Read MoreFor hundreds of years beef dripping, also known as tallow or beef fat, was found in the larder of most households. This was THE fat used for frying, baking, and even smearing on skin as a moisturiser. Not only is beef dripping delicious, it is also very healthy.
Read MoreThere 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
Read MoreAt the heart of the farm, walked past by many and yet noticed by few, clear water rises up from the depths of the earth and flows forth, nourishing plant, animal and human alike.
Read MoreAt the heart of the farm, walked past by many and yet noticed by few, clear water rises up from the depths of the earth and flows forth, nourishing plant, animal and human alike.
Read MoreAt the heart of the farm, walked past by many and yet noticed by few, clear water rises up from the depths of the earth and flows forth, nourishing plant, animal and human alike.
Read MoreThis year we have already taken delivery of very healthy quantities of local honey with more expected. These beekeepers only take what the bees don’t need themselves and leave enough honey in the hives for them to feed on during the winter.
Read MoreAs many of you may know, I love food. I still get very excited by the produce coming from the Plaw Hatch garden and never more so than at this time of year. My summer suppers are variations on a theme but almost always involve courgettes, beans and tomatoes. These are my favourites.
Read MoreWith the cost of living increasing, we are working hard to reduce the impact on customers.
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 MoreThe topic of packaging is not the most exhilarating one in our work here on the farm but it is an essential part of it. It is also one of the things that causes most frustration and head scratching.
Read MoreWe hope, with your help, that we can make your Christmas shopping an enjoyable and comfortable experience.
Read MoreIt will be very hard to eliminate plastic in our lives completely, but we can cut it down hugely.
Read MoreShop Manager, Jenny Thornhill, goes on a quick tour of all the things she’s noticed on the farm this May.
Read MoreOur plans to get our yoghurts and cream out of plastic and into glass moved a step closer last week when we were notified that our proposal had received planning permission. Welcome news indeed!
Read MoreThe Hungry Gap. The period at the beginning of the year when the cold, grey days mean little grows and little thrives. It’s time to rely on the roots in the store from autumn as we wait and look forward to warmer longer days and the promise of leafy greens and salad crops.
Read MoreJenny Thornhill, shop manager, takes us on a whistle stop tour of all her updates. A bit on the success of Christmas, an update on the Spring House build and where we are with our ‘out of plastic and into glass’ project, a bit on Covid, and the ongoing support of the food bank. There’s always plenty to talk about!
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What we’re doing for our cows and customers.