Fordhall Farm holds ANOTHER successful working weekend!

Yet again Fordhall has held a successful working weekend with people from as far afield as Somerset coming along and taking part. Lots got finished, including fences, gates and yurt cleaning!
All volunteers left happy, with a sense of achievement at helping a worthy project and a full tummy after all our delicious grub that we served to them!
If you would like to attend our next working weekend which will be June 6th-7th 2009 or to get more information please contact me on 01630 638696 or email project@fordhallfarm.com

Hannah

Permaculture Design course at Fordhall

WOW! We have had a fantastic response from the BBC programme shown last friday called 'Farm for the Future' featuring Fordhall Farm. It was filmed as part of the Natural World series on BBC 2 and attracted over 2.2 million viewers! But, if you were not one of them and you could like to catch the film then you can still view it over the BBC iPlayer programme.

One philosophy featured in the programme was Permaculture and Forest Gardens. Systems which rely on balance, cycles and connectiveness, just like Foggage Farming does at Fordhall. These are highly productive and efficient. They demand no fossil fuel energy to run, just a little bit of common sense and thought.

If you are interested in Permaculture and would like to attend a Permaculture Design course then we will be holding an Introduction to Permaculture weekend course at Fordhall this summer. It will run over July 18th - 19th 2009 and must be booked in advance. It will cost £120 for the weekend including camping facilities and all food.
If you would like more details or would like to attend please contact the FCLI office on 01630 638696 or email project@fordhallfarm.com.

Fordhall Farm on the BBC

Fordhall Farm is featured as part of a BBC documentary this Friday on the future of Farming.

With oil prices being so fluid and the vast majority of our farms being so dependant on it as a core resource, the issue raises an interesting debate. Rebecca Hosking visits Fordhall to learn about the Foggage Farming system we practice and the philosophy around working with nature, using the natural and sustainable systems of the earth to produce our food.

It will be a fantastic programme and should be watched by everyone. The future of our food is an issue for us all.

For more information you can read the article in the Sunday Mail by clicking here

Don't forget FRIDAY 20TH FEBRUARY BBC 2 8pm.

You can now see the full BBC programme on Google. Follow the link below and click download to view it. Alternatively, call the Fordhall Office and we may be able to send you a copy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4152340418943461860

Forest Fun over half term at Fordhall Farm

Wondering what to do with the children over half term? Well, wonder no more. Here at Fordhall Farm we are utilising our newly developed Forest School site for family use.

From Mon to Fri next week we will be running activities in the woodland such as mini beast hunts, campfires, den making, woodland crafts, map trails, games and more..
This is a fantastic opportunity to have fun outdoors, safely - whatever the weather and surrounded by Fordhall's free range Gloucester Old Spot pigs, sheep, cows, goats and chickens!

Forest School has additional physical, social and health benefits for children and young people who are leading increasingly indoor lives, helping them to enjoy physical activity outdoors and make new friends. We created the site at the farm last year for local schools and it is great it is now being utilised for the local community during school holidays.

But, places are limited and need to be booked in advance. There is a nominal charge of £3 per child per day. Children under 9yrs must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable outdoor clothing must be worn. Why not join us for some fun in Fordhall's woodlands and contact the office to book your place on 01630 638696.

Farm for the Future - Fordhall Farm on TV!

Farm for the Future - Friday 20th February BBC 2 8pm.

Rebecca Hosking finds out how she can make her families wildlife
friendly farm in Devon, a low energy farm for the future and
discovers that nature holds the key. As part of her journey throughout the UK, she visits Charlotte Hollins at Fordhall Farm.

With her father near to retirement Rebecca Hosking returns to her
family’s wildlife friendly farm in Devon, to become the next
generation to farm the land.

But last years high fuel prices were a wake up call for Rebecca.
Realising that all farming and food production in the UK is
completely dependent on abundant cheap fossil fuel – particularly oil
- Rebecca sets out to discover just how secure is this oil supply.
She is met with some alarming answers, which drive her to find ways
of farming without using fossil fuel.

By seeking advice from experts, pioneer farmers and growers, Rebecca
learns that is actually nature that holds the key to farming in a low
energy future.

Rebecca's story is fantastic, and we wish her the best of luck with her new and exciting venture on her families farm. The future for farmers is indeed in a time of change. Farmers must find new ways to be sustainable, and many of these will probably rely on the knowledge and experience of our ancestors, who new that caring for and working with nature was paramount to their success. This is an issue that effects us all and a programme that will be fascinating to watch.

Charlotte Hollins

Snow at Fordhall Farm

Shropshire was hit by the snow quite heavily last night, but the life of a farmer goes on. We thought we would share some lovely pictures of Fordhall Farm in the snow, something that we haven't seen for some years. Surely a good summer will now come as a result.