Down on the Farm

With our five-year plan now coming into effect, we are moving forward with a variety of farm enterprises which are also excellent educational resources, greatly increasing awareness of how animal husbandry and sustainable land management directly affects the nutritional value of our own food.

Re-stocking goes as fast as the budget will allow: we now have fifteen beef cattle, made up of five Belted Galloways, six Angus Cross and four Shorthorn Cross. We have also have chickens, goats, pigs and a number of Wiltshire Horn sheep.
Farming

Work is under way on the new edible hedge path and cage, and a wider gateway into Higher Alfords field will allow access to the field from both directions.

The weather was not kind to farmers in 2008 but we had a good crop of hay. The wet weather forced us to cut our combi crop as haylage, instead of harvesting it for chicken feed, which had a knock-on effect on our plan to become self sustaining in animal feed. However we learnt valuable lessons and look forward with confidence to 2010.

Jenny, our working horse, is a star attraction, and has done some great work with groups and individual children.

What do we grow?

The horticultural aspect of Magdalen Farm has been developing over many years and is intricately linked to almost all of our activities. The Magdalen Project is certified by the Soil Association and our vegetable crops are an essential factor in our organic status. All fruit and vegetables grown at Magdalen are, of course, fully organic. We take care to grow as sustainably as possible, incorporating a mixture of organic and permaculture practices.

Fruit and vegetables

We have over 2 acres of land given over to vegetable growing, with two 20m poly tunnels, two green houses, a small orchard and cherry trees. We are developing a substantial comfrey patch which will eventually enable us to feed all our hungry vegetables organically, especially those in the poly tunnels, which are watered from our own stream. Coupled with using our own farmyard manure we should soon achieve our aim of self-sufficiency in our nutrient needs. We will continue to develop the classic rotational growing system, alongside farm animal integration, which means using the animals to clear, root and fertilise the soil.

Education

This is the key to all activities at Magdalen and visiting children and adults are encouraged to participate in all forms of gardening. No one leaves without having learnt some fascinating facts about where their food comes from and first hand experience of healthy eating. The vegetable garden offers a host of learning experiences for all ages and abilities.

Volunteers and Community involvement

‘Many hands make light work’, as the old saying goes, and this is certainly true when growing vegetables. Much of the vegetable growing and picking would not be possible without our dedicated and knowledgeable band of local volunteers who come in once a week. We also have one or two resident volunteers (UK based and international) who sometimes stay with us for several weeks at a time. A constant exchange of ideas and skills flows between Magdalen staff and helpers. Each day’s activity is rewarded with a substantial and healthy lunch and – occasionally – a few fresh vegetables to take home. We also run special volunteer training days where we teach skills such as hedge laying, lime rendering and tool maintenance.

Care Farming and Gardening

A special garden area is available for visitors who may find our 2-acre plot daunting to get around and work in. We have put in several raised beds using old railway sleepers, including strawberry beds that are 2 ½ feet off the ground –.and created a herb garden from old tyres. This is an easily accessible site where helpers can sit and be comfortable whilst enjoying the many physical and mental benefits of gardening. ‘Care Gardening’ fits in with our wider programme of Care Farming which enables visitors with a wide range of special needs to gain a full experience of all aspects of life at Magdalen.

Feeding the masses

Our ambition is to supply nutritious, healthy, and delicious food for everyone who visits or stays at Magdalen. We have also started attending local Farmers and Country Markets so if you happen to spot us at one of these events please come over and have a chat and - better still - buy some of our wonderful fresh produce.

To find out more please contact us