A day at the farm…
with Tiffany Fleming.

As I write this, Hallowe’en approaches, but we don’t require spooky spells or master magicians to make extraordinary things happen at High Mead Farm; a little bit of magic happens here every day!
I’m not sure if those little black cats have anything to do with it, (they’ve certainly crossed our paths a time or two!) but putting superstition to one side, for High Mead, October has been a very lucky month. The mild weather has been very pleasant to work in for one, we haven’t been held up by too much rain, and the produce has been growing fast and furiously. Rachel and her horticultural team have been particularly busy, not just with land preparation and harvest, but in testing different farming methods and introducing our Co-Farmers to some slightly more unusual produce.

Pictures: TIFFANY FLEMING

Rachel clearly has the magical touch, especially when it comes to growing pumpkins. It is evident there has been much love and attention lavished on our ‘super squashes’, resulting in quite the largest fruit I have ever seen. Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother would be most impressed. A bumper crop of pumpkins is not their only win… the team has been busy testing green manure methods too. Green manure is agricultural alchemy, the process of sowing fast-growing plants to cover bare soil.
Their foliage smothers weeds and their roots help with soil structure and prevent soil erosion. The plants in the green manure mix fix nitrogen to the soil which enriches it for next year’s crops.
Following the green theme, the glass-house is full of minute micro-greens; tiny taste sensations introduced to the farm by Chef Nik, quick to grow and packed with potential health benefits. The Co-Farmers have loved learning about these super foods, and cooking with them too, in addition to filling the shop with a whole host of ‘fruits and roots’. A treasure trove of tasty treats.
Another notable achievement and something that has experienced a growth spurt this month, is Louis’ shed. Louis, one of the farm’s long-standing volunteers, has been building the shed for as long as I can remember, toiling away, day after day, using only donated wood and recycled timber from old sheds considered past their best. It’s fair to say that Louis’ shed is a real labour of love, so to see the building suddenly so close to completion has filled us all with excitement.
The Friends of Canford School heard about Louis’ project and were so taken with his efforts that they pledged to purchase the roofing materials, so this marvellous edifice will be weatherproof by Christmas. Canford School has enjoyed a long partnership with the farm, with pupils volunteering most Monday afternoons and two pupils having helped us in the shop too. Their hard work and generosity are much appreciated.