We have enjoyed a real variety of visits over the past month. We welcomed our first visit from Katherine Low Settlement, a wonderful group of young people from across the world. Highlights included making and sharing delicious food, getting stuck into all jobs and playing games in our Welcome Barn.
Eastern High, one of our Cardiff schools returned to the farm in June. They were a great help with looking after the animals, particularly our pet lambs. Our Eastern High Jamie’s Farmers also enjoyed being outdoors, creating and sharing some tasty food in our pizza hut.
Another returning partner this month was Box Primary School, who are located close to our Bath Headquarters. It was really special to have the whole site buzzing with the sounds of children laughing and making the most of the farm. Highlights included an afternoon of den building in the Forest of Dean, helping with our sheep shearing and a fun-filled Farm Olympics!Â
We ended the month with a fantastic visiting group from Barnsley College, bringing lots of enthusiasm and joy to the farm. They spent the week really embracing farm life and making new friends. It was really special to see the young people come together as a group and make memories to last a lifetime.
As well as Barnsley College visiting Monmouth, Jo travelled North to meet up with our Barnsley College group who visited back in March. This group of amazing young people have formed strong friendships following their time on the farm. It was wonderful to hear that most of the group have grown in confidence and they were very proud to receive their certificates, reminders of all the great things they achieved during their week at Jamie’s Farm Monmouth. Some young people are currently studying Animal Care, and Jo really enjoyed a guided tour of the College Farm, Wigfield Farm.
The cold weather has meant that grass growth has slowed so we have slowed our animal moves, the cows are following the sheep in the hope that they will be in the perfect position ready for the July Open day.
Now the trenches have been dug and filled to allow electricity for the cabins (from one side of the farm to other) we have drilled a third more of the farm to diverse herbal leys which will hopefully grow to allow an autumn bite for lambs.
At the end of this month, we will be saying goodbye to our Farm Manager, Dan Smith. He joined our team over 7 years ago and played a key role in building and developing the Monmouth Farm. Over the years, Dan has been a valued member of the team, sharing his many skills and knowledge with our visiting groups and introducing Regenerative Farming to Jamie’s Farm. Dan, thank you for all your incredible work, you will be greatly missed. He recently achieved a Nuffield Scholarship and we wish Dan all the very best with his future travels and study.
Not long now to our Open Day, taking place on Saturday 13th July! It’s a great opportunity for the community and visitors to come and see the farm, meet the team, and learn more about what we do, as well as enjoying some delicious food and hopefully some glorious sunshine! Please do sign up if you would be interested to come along on the day.
