Walk the Farming Year

Many years ago, my grandfather used to tell the village school mistress when the crops were ripening and therefore when the children would be needed to help bring in the harvest. Thus the school holidays were set. And when we say ‘holidays’, I’m not sure it had the same meaning back then as today; there would have been little rest when the harvest needed to be brought in! Walk the Farming Year

Athough we’re in 2021, the year for those at school refl ects the farming year, and for many reading this, ‘New Year’ is months away, for farmers, teachers and school children, we’re already a month in. The latest venture on our farm is ‘Walk the Farming Year’, where we’ve invited people to join us for a walk and discussion every 6 weeks (approximately) throughout the farming year. On Saturday 11 September we met beneath the boughs of the horse chestnut for a cup of tea, and each member of our dozen-strong gang introduced themselves and their interest in walking through the farming year. Some were interested in climate and the environment and others in the fi nancial and technological elements of farming; some had an interest in livestock and meadows and others in the arable side and plant biology. All were fascinated by the natural world and the way we produce the food we eat impacts on the countryside around us. We set off and walked and talked, and it was fascinating and fun.

It’s not too late to join us. We’re limiting spaces to 20; a small group, but we have a few tickets left and you can get yours on the Eventbrite website by searching ‘Walk the Farming Year’ and you’ll see a reduced ticket for those wishing to join the seven walks still to come. We’ll meet through cold weather and warm, sunshine and rain, and we’ll see seasons change and the farm and her wildlife adapt.

The next walk is on Saturday 23 October, well in to the month of wild mushrooms, apples, medlar and quince, and the month when you’ll also fi nd partridge, duck, and wood pigeon at the butchers, and beetroot, squash, leeks, and parsnips wherever you get your veggies. If you buy locally produced food in season, you’re helping to support our amazing countryside. Thank you!

by Lisa Martin

Go, sit upon the lofty hill, And turn your eyes around, Where waving woods and waters wild Do hymn an autumn sound. The summer sun is faint on them— The summer fl owers depart— Sit still— as all transform’d to stone, Except your musing heart. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, The Autumn

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