February has been a month of remarkable growth and connection here at Jamie’s Farm Hereford. We’ve seen our core program thrive, welcomed new partnerships, and made exciting strides in our sustainability efforts.
Inspiring Journeys and Powerful Connections
We kicked off February with two impactful visits from School 21, in partnership with Bertha Earth. These visits focused on nature-connectedness and environmental stewardship, with our young people tackling challenging tasks as a team. The Head of School’s heartfelt words resonated deeply: “Guys… what a pleasure it has been. Thank you all for showing so much care and kindness to our amazing young people. They had the most wonderful week. They don’t know it yet but this will stay with them for years to come.”
We then transitioned to our core therapeutic model, welcoming new partner schools Ash Manor and Brigshaw High. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. A teacher from Ash Manor shared, “Fantastic experience for both students and staff. Great to see the students in a different environment growing in confidence and taking a pride in themselves.” And from Brigshaw High, “Everything was perfect! Our adults have said how they felt part of the JF team… and not outsiders!” This sense of belonging is paramount to us, and we’re thrilled to be building strong, lasting partnerships.
Farm Life and Sustainable Practices
Despite the winter storms, the farm is flourishing! Our calves are thriving under the care of our young visitors, and we’re preparing the lambing shed for the imminent arrival of our pregnant ewes. We’ve also achieved accreditation for using our own wood as a sustainable fuel source for our biomass boiler. Soon, our young people will be involved in processing our timber, experiencing the rewarding process from chopping to burning!
Excitingly, we’re planning to introduce apiaries and create our own Jamie’s Farm Hereford honey. Food Coordinator Hannah is leading this initiative, and we can’t wait to share updates on our progress.
Team Updates and New Beginnings
While we miss Alicia, we’ve been fortunate to have Sev on the team. His mountaineering spirit has brought a sense of adventure to our young people. We’re also thrilled to welcome Hind Hammou as our new Therapeutic Coordinator, starting after Easter. Her experience and expertise in supporting young people to thrive, which we’ve witnessed firsthand, will be invaluable to our team.
Thank you for your continued support, which enables us to provide these transformative experiences. We’re excited for the spring ahead and look forward to sharing more updates soon.
