This past month, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming several fantastic groups to the farm, each bringing their own energy and experiences.
Our local partner school, Bishops of Hereford Bluecoat, brought an enthusiastic group who got hands-on with one of the biggest tasks of the season—moving the sheep. The students worked together to bring the flock in from the fields, weighing and sorting them before market. Even though these students are from a rural area, many had never experienced this kind of farming responsibility, and it was great to see them learning by doing!
We also hosted a long-term partner group from Haringey Learning Partnership, and they didn’t disappoint. From feeding our new calf to getting creative with pumpkin carving, it was a full and busy week. The students also took part in harvesting and pressing apples from our orchard, and we loved seeing their excitement over this autumn tradition.
A lively group of year 7s from Coop Academy Stoke-on-Trent filled the farm with curiosity and laughter. For many, it was their first time away from home, but they threw themselves into every activity with enthusiasm. Highlights of the week included games, long dog walks, and—you guessed it—pumpkin carving! Their positive energy was infectious, making for a joyful week.
We also had a lovely online follow-up with Look UK a group of young people with visual impairments who visited recently. It was wonderful to experience how much the farm experience meant to them, as they reflected on their time here and reconnected with each other. They had plenty of questions about the farm and the animals, and it’s clear the impact of their visit is still resonating.
Farm news
It’s been a soggy few weeks here in Hereford, and we’d love a few more dry days! Despite the rain, the farm has been buzzing with activity.
We’re excited to introduce our new ducks! They’ve joined the farm and will spend the winter in the polytunnel, working alongside some of our chickens to fertilize and tackle the slug problem.
Our sheep are doing well, with another batch of lambs heading to market next week. We’re nearly at the end of the selling season, with just one trailer load left to go. The teaser rams are already in with the ewes, and the tups (male breeding sheep) will join them next week.
On the cattle front, our Lowlines are set for their TB test next week. If all goes well, we’ll be selling some and moving others to a wildlife trust meadow for a couple of months. Our solitary calf has been sold, and we’re looking to bring in more calves over the next few weeks.
It was also a treat to have Jess Fish back on the farm for a day during team week as part of her keeping-in-touch day from maternity leave. It was great to see her again!
Lastly, we’re on the lookout for donations of beekeeping equipment! If anyone knows someone who can help, please send them our way. Email hannahwallace@jamiesfarm.org.uk.
