Filed under: Journal
After much delay we now have a website which works !! Thanks to Joe – one of our WWOOFers – the hard graft of converting aimless ideas into a working site has now been done. Unusually the website itself is underpinned by blog technologies which should make it really easyto keep updated – or give us no excuses otherwise !
If you have not checked it out follow this link
All comments and feedback welcome !
Filed under: Uncategorized
Summer is a really busy time on the farm. We’ve expanded our growing area by 50% compared to last year, and
have tried to increase productivity. This means difficult questions and compromise to what others might consider organic principles – for example, should we try and control weeds just by backbreaking manual methods or should we plant through weed suppressing membranes and plastic sheets ? In classic crooked end style we do both ! With an army of brilliant volunteers this year to help us
– the fruits of our (their) labours are on sale now! If any of them ever read this blog after their stay – we are really grateful !!
Unfortunately, whilst our veg production has soared, egg production took a big hit due to a recent fox visit. We have lost nearly 100 hens over the past 12 months which is a massive blow. In an attempt to reduce the costs of their replacements we are raising day old organic chicks- approximately 70 should be “in-lay” by the end of the year – fingers crossed !
Despite hen attrition this is still an enjoyable time at Crooked End. We are so busy at markets and in the fields sometimes we forget that it is very much all about the customer ! Recently we have had some great feedback from them which makes all the hard work seem worthwhile. One unsolicited comment said: “I have now had two deliveries
from Crooked End Farm…and wanted to tell you that I am very happy with what has been delivered . I particularly
liked last weeks’ box with lovely new potatoes and broad beans.”
We are slowly building up our network of weekly meat and veg orders for delivery or pickup, due to chatting to people at markets or simply through word of mouth from satisfied customers like J from Trellech above ! Our own meat packs are a big hit and we are now able to offer our own new season 2009 lamb which is tender and tasty as fine organic lamb should be ! Compared to other organic suppliers our prices are highly competitive and a half-lamb freezer pack, cut to your own requirements (with advice from us if you need it) is an absolute bargain! We are also waiting for Mabel, the new breeding sow, to farrow and leave us looking forward to tasty Old Spot pork through the autumn and winter ahead.
Trainee Egg Layers !
