The Stirley Diary – January on the farm
Friday 27th January 2012
The cows come into the barn
It may be January but life on the farm is as busy as ever.
Just before Christmas we brought the cows into the newly renovated cattle barn to overwinter. This has meant that we have had to make sure they have plenty of food as they are not out in the fields grazing; they actually require more food in the winter as it helps to keep them warm! We’ve also been providing the cows with plenty of clean straw to bed down on.
It may not be sowing or harvesting time but that does not mean the vegetable beds are neglected either. We have been busy planning what we’ll be growing and where, from salads to root vegetables. The veg beds were so successful last year, with many volunteers coming to get involved with their maintenance that we have also decided to dig another four beds to cope with the demand! So staff and volunteers have been busy with spades and shovels this month.
The orchard is also well underway with fruit trees on order so that we can begin planting soon, expanding on the wild hedge put in last year. The Woodland Trust has also awarded us with a community tree pack, so we are looking forward to receiving that soon. This will contain 420 trees, with species such as blackthorn, hazel, crab apple, elder and dog rose which will give the farm a lovely mixed woodland ripe with nuts and berries for harvesting. Great for wildlife and people as well!
Finally the Stirley Community Farm Appeal to raise £30,000 has been going great guns! Enthusiastic locals have been out fundraising for us, such as Damian who organised a sponsored swim and Carol who is busy organising a Ceilidh for the 18th February. Thanks to their help and that of many more we are close to reaching our target, having raised a total of £22,000 since December. A big thank you to all that have helped us so far! All money raised is going towards work on the farm, including the restoration of an old stone barn into an education centre. If you haven’t donated yet and would like to then please visit www.justgiving.com/YWT-Stirley.
For more information about Stirley Community Farm and events on the farm take a look at our 'What's On' pages or give us a call on 01904 659570. There are public footpaths leading up to the farm which you are welcome to walk along to come and take a look for yourself!
Tagged with: Cows, Growing, Planting, Stirley, Stirley Farm, Trees