The first Blog

This is our first blog. I'm not sure wether to keep it short and sweet or to fill you in on our full story? I'm sure the nerves will settle as we get used to this but it seems a strange idea to be talking to somebody without being able to see how they react, without any chance of adjusting your view as you go along and share ideas. Here goes..

The purpose of our blog is hopefully to give readers a taste of what its like to be a smallholder in rural Northumberland. We have 33 acres of land on which we keep pigs, chickens, horses, sheep and a few cattle. We grow vegetables and some fruit and sell these through our Organic box scheme.

I'm sure an easier way of giving you an authentic experience of organic farming in Northumberland would be to get you to withdraw any cash you might have in the bank and burn it, jump around in deep muddy puddle for a while (without the waterproofs you thought you would'nt need) and then go back in to your kitchen to find the dogs have enjoyed your roast beef that was left on the top and are now sleeping in your chair, but despite what a lot of old school farmers may have you believe it's not all doom and gloom.

Things are on the up for forward thinking food producers and as consumers become more aware of health, animal welfare, food miles and other food issues. We have the reassuring joy of knowing the simple items of meat and vegetables we produce bring great pleasure to our customers every day without having a detrimental effect on the earth.

Our days are a mix of feeding and checking animals, planting and harvesting vegetables, packing and delivering boxes, begging our bank manager and telling lies to our accountant! We hope to write a daily blog to record the highs and lows of the coming months.

With the weather starting to pick up after the usual 'snow at Easter shock' we have plenty to get on with and with that in mind I better get back to it, Beth is putting finishing touches to her sowing date calender and its look like a late supper for us.