This is a first-time event at our farm, since we have started growing strawberries again. Twenty or more years ago the business was specialised in strawberry plants for fruit and propagation and was the largest supplier of organic strawberry plants in the UK. All well, until the virus Verticillium Wilt, set in teh ground since the 2nd World War destroyed the plantation in a matter of days. The business would have gone bust, if it were not for the vegetables that we had started selling as well. A dear lesson was learned - Diversify. It took a great deal of courage to start again, in 2014, and an even greater deal of knowledge and experience. The virus is still there, but we have learned to defy it. How? Join the Market Garden Tour at 2pm to learn from Tolly, the grower.

Bring your children and family for a great day out. Enjoy teas, coffee, home-made pastry, a cup of creamy soups with organic artisan bread rolls and bring a large basket to stock up on your veg and strawberries for the week.

An inspiring talk, farm walk and networking opportunity for interested growers, farmers, gardeners, students and all folk interested in Soils.

Due to popular demand, this is a chance for all those who wish to visit our farm and have a structured conversation with Iain Tolhurst and other like-minded people. Subjects such as soil fertility, rotations, green manures, weed and pest control will be tackled. By registration only.  £25.00/person + VAT including hearty organic home-made lunch with seasonal farm vegetables. Limited places available, so sign up here and let us know how many people are coming. Booking open until 13 July.

A second year in a row, this time our Mulberry Fayre will be dedicated to local talent.

DAY PROGRAMME

12 NOON GATES OPEN

1PM - NAMIBIA: THE LAST WILDERNESS – SLIDE SHOW BY NIC BRAZIL (large marquee)

1PM - FLORAL ARRANGEMENT DEMO: Berry Bouttonieres BY CHANTAL STEAR

2PM – 3PM LIVE MUSIC by DOLLY AND THE CLOTHESPEGS

2PM – TOUR OF HISTORIC HARDWICK HOUSE by Miriam Rose

2PM – THE NATURAL WORLD – by Bardica Story telling

2:30pm - FLORAL ARRANGEMENT DEMO: Foraged Flower Crowns BY CHANTAL STEAR

3:00 PM - RAFFLE PRIZES in support to PHOENIX Centre for disabled children in Riscani, Moldova, by MAD AID ORG

3:30 PM - NAMIBIA: THE LAST WILDERNESS – SLIDE SHOW BY NIC BRAZIL (large marquee)

4:00 PM – TOUR OF HISTORIC HARDWICK HOUSE by Miriam Rose

4:00 PM – THE NATURAL WORLD – by Bardica Story telling

5:00 PM -  Event closes

THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Mulberry Tree Colouring competition – at Children’s tent

Moldovan food & wine Tasting – at Charity tent Supporting MAD AID ORG

Wax rolling activities – at Alder Bridge School tent

Hula hooping with Rose Tolhurst

Framed pictures by the Mulberry Tree

Bouncy Castel for children under 12

Hula hooping with Rose Tolhurst

The third Squash & Pumpkin Festival is set to attract over a thousand people and will offer everything rural, from pumpkins and squash, sweet corn BBQ, pizza oven, tractors for picture taking, workshops and stalls, in a beautiful setting, with very friendly people. Children's entertainment from 2 to 4pm, plus story telling, tours of historic Hardwick House, garden tour at 3pm. Come with your family, dress autumnal, bring your carved pumpkins or large pumpkins to compete for a prize. Lots to do, to taste and to learn!

Local food & drink producers, craftsmen and artisans are welcome. To sign up for a stall, please complete and email back this Form

Squash and Pumpkin Festival Applicaton Form for Stall Holder. 

Bookings for this event have now closed. If you are interested, please email us and we shall plan another workshop in spring 2016.

Integrating trees into an organic horticultural system offers opportunities to diversify the business as well as environmental benefits. This workshop will provide practical advice and pointers on implementing agroforestry systems on your farm.

The day will centre around Iain Tolhurst’s newly planted agroforestry system with plenty of opportunity for discussion. We will explore the pros and cons of planting trees for agroforestry in horticultural businesses. There will be advice on species choice and design; tree establishment, understorey management; pruning and managing fruit trees in agroforestry systems; management and grant availability.

£12 per head to include organic lunch. To reserve your place, you must book with the Organic Research Centre by clicking here

Lunch Menu

Leek & potato soup

Bread rolls, including gluten-free option

Butter and vegan spread

Green leaf salad, may include celery and mustard

Protein salad with grated roots and red beans

Tea & coffee including Decaf and herb teas

Digestive biscuits

This event is designed to help growers understand more about making and using their own compost.

09.30 Registration and refreshments

10.00 Introduction to Innovative Farmers

10.15 The Science (Catherine Dawson, Melcourt Industries)

This will include a presentation and lots of opportunity for questions

Effects of c
onductivity
Factors effecting germination and subsequent growth,
Key properties of individual ingredients.
Why and when should you consider adding woodchip compost, green waste or coir?

11.00 The Trialling (Ben Raskin, Head of Horticulture)

Testing a new compost – how to assess results
Management of trials and recording information
Benefits of trialling as a collective
Woodchip and Biochar case study

11.30 The Practical (Iain Tolhurst, Tolhurst Organic)
Collection of material
Managing the heap
Using the compost – propagation and fertility

13.00 Lunch

13.45 Close and depart

Please email Astrid Barrowman at producer.support@soilassociation.org with any queries. For more information on the Innovative Farmers Programme, please visit the innovativefarmers.org website.

To book your free place, visit the link  here
.