Today was Open Farm Sunday here in the UK. I took the younger two along to a local organic dairy farm to see how it all works. The weather was glorious and it was such a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. Acres of the greenest countryside in every direction. Beautiful hedgerows, abundant wildlife of every description. I particularly loved the swallows speeding over the barns.
We did all the usual farm visit things - a tractor ride, watching the milking, seeing sheep shearing, eating ice-cream. The fact that the farm is organic makes a big difference I think. Naturally healthy animals, chemical free hay and silage, a balanced ecosystem with no predator wiped out with pesticide use. The milk they produce is of the best quality and goes to make Cheddar cheese. The male calves are apparently sent to another nearby farm where they're raised for beef.
It was a pleasure to see how well farming can be done, how much care and pride the owners have in their operation. It reminded me that the extra cost of organic produce is money well spent for several reasons. I know this is a bit of a rosy picture, and that the reality of production of dairy products and meat is by its nature pretty harsh. It was explained that many male calves are simply shot when they're born. I try and make sure the children know the true cost of the food they have, and other things as well. But for one afternoon in June it was all pretty blissful down on the farm.
This looks like such a nice event, CJ. I love days like this, you learn so much. I was really intrigued by the sheep-shearing. My husband raised sheep when he was growing up and I love to hear about his experiences. I showed him the shearing photos and he was impressed with their work. I don't think he was a great shearer. I didn't know they had that separate undercoat to their fleece, but now it makes sense, it must be what they use for the finer wool? Interesting. Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed seeing this event. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited a farm in years! I must change this, although of course I have now missed the open farm Sunday. The sheep looks a bit miffed on your photo :-) It is a shame that male calves are killed at birth, they would make lovely veal if only left to life for a few happy months. We don't often buy organic, the cost are prohibitive for a family of six but I do insist on organic milk, in that random way my mind works. Have a lovely week. x
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I think it's really important for children to know how farming works and where their food comes from. Good on you!
ReplyDeleteEllie
xxx
I like the look of that! I have to admit that the closest I've ever come to open farm Sunday is listening to The Archers but you've made that look very appealing. The kids would absolutely love it. I'm glad you had a nice time, your pictures are certainly beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteI bet that tractor was popular?
ReplyDeleteThese farm events are very good.
What fun! I love spending the day on a farm, but we live on a farm so I get to do it every day ;) I thought it was interesting about them shooting the bull or soon to be steer calves. Both because out here, smack dab in the middle of the US, milk calf steers are always worth a fair bit of money and because the steers are worth more money than heifers in beef cattle, what we raise.
ReplyDeleteOrganic is awesome. We are in no way organic but our cattle spend their lives out on pasture eating grass. There are as few antibiotics, or any other medicines, put into them as possible, they cost money and there is little enough to be made in agriculture with out spending money on things that aren't needed. I can only speak for the amount of time we own them, birth to mostly fattened, but by the very nature of the business beef cattle are run mostly organic. Dairy is completely different of course, but it is so interesting to hear what farming is like in other places. Loved it.
what a lovely way to understand more about our food industries - the good and the bad. At least then you can make informed decisions about your food, what you buy and what you eat.
ReplyDeletelovely photos. I just saw your previous' posts photos again too - sigh, so lovely...have a great week.
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ReplyDeleteLove these pictures, CJ. You are showing your kids the realities of food production--so important for people to learn where their food comes from. I bet the sheep are happy to have that fleece off :)
DeleteWhat a great day out. I love the photo of the sheep being sheared - they always look so vulnerable initially without their fleece. Enjoy the week. xx
ReplyDeleteIt sounds a wonderful day out x
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day out. Sheep shearing always seems so undignified for the sheep doesn't it? Was that a captive barn owl? They are such beautiful birds the feathers almost look to bejewelled.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a captive barn own, from a bird of prey place. They're gorgeous aren't they. And I know what you mean about the sheep. She wasn't at all thrilled about it!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful day, my daughters all have yearly tickets to their local open farms so take the children regularly. A great experience for them.
ReplyDeleteI helped at one of these events last yeast. They're a great way of connecting people with the working countryside. I'm glad you had a good time and the owl is wonderful xx
ReplyDeleteIT sounds like a wonderful afternoon, educational and beautiful all at the same time. Love those sheep.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Interesting post and good pictures. It sure looks and sounds like you enjoyed yourselves. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you take the boys to learn how the farms work. All kids should know how their food is made and how hard it is to get a gallon of drinkable milk. Or where wool starts and all the stages it has to go through before it becomes a sweater or scarf. Good stuff. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteWe used to belong to Slow Food Dorset it was wonderful to visit local producers and see the best way of producing our food. I think it is so important that children can see where their food comes from. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great event - good for you for taking advantage of it so your kids can get a look at how real food is produced. There is a farm tour in our area every August and also one in Maine while we are on vacation every summer - they are always such a learning experience and of course seeing the animals up close is the big attraction for kids (and adults)!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see your post....the diary industry here in Australia is struggling because the two largest supermarkets decided to undercut them and sell milk for $1.00 a litre! Thank goodness people rallied around and said they would rather pay more for their milk and keep the farmers in business...three cheers!
ReplyDeleteThe only way a predator may die these days is, if such as rats or mice that have been killed by bait and not buried or disposed of properly are eaten by predators.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any chemical that are used in this day and age that would kill predators. The days of DDT are long gone. The only exception is mosquitoes in very hot countries. Please do not be misinformed.
I have been a livestock and arable farmer all my life, I'm 68.
What a wonderful way for your boys to gain an understanding of the complex work of a farm and an appreciation of the food that is produced.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day out and it has reminded me of when we used to visit farms and the sheep farmers used to say it cost more to shear the sheep than the fleece was worth. I think this has changed now and I'm certainly doing my best to boost the fortunes of the British wool industry! I got very close and personal to alpaca a few weekends ago and their fleeces are so soft and long, very different to the feel of a sheep fleece. Near the cottage there is a farm with its own shop which sells raw milk and as dairy farmers they always have Rose veal for sale which is an obvious by-product of their industry. Despite eating their lamb and pork I haven't been able to buy the veal. Like you (I think?) I was vegetarian for a long time and nowadays only eat meat occasionally and sparingly and always knowing its full provenance.
ReplyDeletewhen i was in vet. tech. school we had to learn how to "sit" a sheep like that....it's bloody hard work, because, no, they don't particularly want to sit like that! so i have deep admiration for shearers...it's a hard job!
ReplyDeletethere's no more important lesson than that of learning the provenance of one's food. it's the utter obliviousness of most people that makes it possible for (most) livestock to be raised in utterly abhorrent conditions. i could tell you stories....ugh.
anyway -- it looks like it was a marvelous day. anything involving ice-cream has a head-start on brilliant, i'd say. xoxo
I love the Open Farm Day idea. Wish I could go. I'm a huge fan of that sheep/wool value poster. Awesome. Looks to be a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good day out and so important, as others have said, about our children knowing where their food comes from. Lovely photos, CJ. xx
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