My turn to write this seems to come around very quickly, I wonder if much has actually happened on the farm or in my life in the interim, but of course it has.

Cropping.

Since my last missive the winter beans were sown and sprayed with a residual soil acting herbicide, 🤔 not sure that sounds right when we should be aiming to have soil with more life in it! *more later. On the plus side here, if things go like last year (other than for some nutrition) that sprayer pass is likely to be the last until the bean crop is harvested next August. The other crops here (light soil) look very well other than for the winter barley which looks a little sick as it suffered from the undesirable combination of A. heavy rain and B. *you’ve guessed it, a soil acting residual herbicide😡. Massive damage from strong herbicide mixes (or “stacking” using more than one which increases effectiveness) is reported very widely this year, in some cases resulting in total crop loss. We need to learn to manage weeds differently. Bloody hate cides 🏴‍☠️.

France.

Off farm. In mid November I went on the Base-UK farm study tour to France. During 4 days, over 1700kms were driven through a very wet French landscape (and Paris😬) in a big anti-clockwise circle down to the Loire and back. We met humble, but very clever inspiring farmers with beautiful farms, and dined in unassuming rural village restaurants serving simple locally sourced food, beautifully prepared, fit for a King. Bloody love France 🇫🇷.

Farm Walk.

Last week I hosted a Base-UK farm walk. Not as exotic as France this time for our Farmer-to-Farmer knowledge exchange organisation group perhaps, but they did lunch in my unassuming rural watermill on a simply served locally sourced joint of smoked ham and “cide free” Wildfarmed bread, which I believe even Charles III would have enjoyed.

After a short introduction and presentation Now you’re Regen what next? which covered on farm small business collaboration, diversification and marketing. The group of 33 had a cold but dry walk around the farm, either baffled, bemused, or perhaps inspired 💪 at some of my “practices”. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with this positive open-minded group that never exhibit any of the current agricultural gloominess. Bloody 💚 Regen farmers.

Food Bank

On my invitation to the farm walk I asked for donations for the Cambridge Trussell Trust food bank. We are all very fortunate in that in reality we lack very little, but we must be aware, particularly at Christmas, many people feel pressure to provide more than they can afford. So, I’m really pleased to say people either gave 🍱🥫very generously or donated 💷 on-line. I was able to fill my car boot and deliver a huge pile of essentials to the collection centre.