Lambing 2023

Lambing is pretty much the most important time of the shepherding year. This lambing we have had just over 90 lambs born in 3 weeks.

April, Lambing, Sheep, SpringKitty M19 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

Springtime growth

Since the last newsletter so much has changed. You would expect as much in spring, but I suppose the rate of change is the part that takes my breath away

April, Garden, SpringKitty M16 April 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

New tills for the shop

So, 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.

March, Shop, Staff, TrainingKitty M16 March 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

A bit of dripping

For 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.

Shop, Butchery, March, MeatKitty M13 March 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comments

Anticipating the arrival of Spring

Each year around this time we all anticipate the arrival of Spring for real.

March, Garden, Spring, EnvironmentKitty M12 March 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comment

A home for bees

There has been a noticeable lack of bees in and around the garden and farm. What can we do about it?

Garden, March, Sustainability, EnvironmentKitty M10 March 2023Plaw Hatch Farm Comments

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

Raising dairy heifers

At Plaw Hatch we run a closed herd of cattle. This means that we don’t buy in cattle and the herd regenerates itself.

Volunteers, February, Apprentices, Staff, GardenKitty M22 February 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

Hello from Jake: the garden apprentice

Joining Plaw Hatch Farm around 6 months ago, it was my intention to learn more about how high quality, nourishing food is grown through the practice of biodynamic agriculture.

Volunteers, February, Apprentices, Staff, GardenKitty M17 February 2023Plaw Hatch FarmComment

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

Planning for the season ahead

It’s early in the new year but that means in the garden we are slowly starting up. Over the last few weeks, I have made a plan where the whole season is written down and I can see when to sow what. Lots to look forward to!

January, GardenKitty M16 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

Looking back at the season

Almost everything from the growing year of 2022 is being harvested which means it’s a good moment to look back and share some ups and downs.

November, Autumn, Garden, FlowersKitty M24 November 2022Plaw 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

Welcome Raif

We recently welcomed a very exciting new addition to the farm team!

Staff, NovemberKitty M24 November 2022Plaw Hatch FarmComment

The journey of spring water

At 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.

Sustainability, Farm, Shop, Spring waterKitty M17 October 2022Plaw Hatch FarmComment

9 Jan 2024

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.

23 Nov 2023

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.

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.

15 Aug 2023

The garden this summer

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 Farmer’s daybook

Or, better yet, sign up to the newsletter to get the best bits straight to your inbox

PLAW HATCH FARM, Plawhatch Lane, Sharpthorne, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4JL

SHOP:01342810201 OFFICE:01342810652 EMAIL:info@plawhatchfarm.co.uk

Company Number: 01497038

Copyright © Plaw Hatch Farm Ltd. All Rights Reserved

website by Kitty