No Kidding. I love farms.

local food on a slate boardWhenever I can, I buy local. Whether it’s meat from the farm across the road, the local veg box scheme, cider from up the hill or hiring a local worker. My first choice is supporting our local area. It would be unrealistic to think I can do this for everything, but where I can, I do.

meeting the sheep at Wookey FarmThen again, we have a constant reminder of local produce. We live in a place surrounded by farms. My children have grown up seeing the farming year unfold across the fields. They feel the rhythm of the seasons.

They know when the lambs are born. They know that some will end up on our plates. They understand what silage is and why the tractors were busy over the weekend, getting it in, but you can always learn more.

sheep in fold after shearing

This is why I was very excited to learn about the Open Farm Sunday scheme, which happened last weekend. On Sunday, needless to say.

sheared fleeces at WookeyThe nearest one, on the scheme, to us was Wookey Farm. It’s only been going four years, which explains why I’ve not heard of the farm before.

Goat sign

We arrived late, so missed the demos. They had laid on quite an event. There was sheep shearing and cheese making. A tractor trailer ride around the fields, to see the rest of the farm. You could hire a kid to walk. (baby goat, not child – just wanted to clarify that point.)

There was food to buy and cheese to taste. Other local producers had stalls there too. I spotted produce from Burcott mill (I can vouch that their flour makes wonderful bread) and Fenny Castle Vineyards (one for the future).

goat shedThe main focus, for my children, was the goats. Wookey farm is a dairy goat farm.

goats at Wookey FarmThey produce a tasty range of goat’s cheeses. I sampled a few and was pleasantly surprised how they lacked the strong goat taste I’ve tasted before. I couldn’t resist bringing some home. Cheese, not goats. Although I know Eldest would have snuck a couple of those home, given half a chance.

Meeting a lamb at Farm Open SundayThe farm also produces meat products.

vaulting straw bales

I’d be very tempted to try out their camping area this summer. Not far from us, but not quite a stone’s throw. I’m pretty sure the children would love it. Is it just my children that can’t resist vaulting over straw bales? Thinking about it, I guess I used to do the same.

lemonade at Open Farm Sundy Wookey

Enjoying real lemonade

Verdict: the children loved the visit. It allowed them to see a different kind of farming. There was a very good turn out, so we’re not the only ones interested in farming and where our food comes from.

I wish we had spent longer. If it’s open next year, we’ll be back. Before then, just to buy more cheese. The farm had opened its doors gates and provided a perfect event to showcase modern farming.

No need for a disclaimer: this was a free event and I was not asked to review. I’m just an enthusiast for local produce. Strawberries, asparagus and apricots were bought from a roadside stall, on the way home.

 If you had a farm, what kind of farm would it be?

Joining in with the inspirational Fiona over at #CountryKid linky.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

16 comments

  1. Everytime I see one of these Open Farm Sunday posts i feel guilty that we haven’t joined in again for another year. I know we should but it creeps up on me so fast and I’m also torn between offering the experience of out farm to locals and not wanting to crowd the farm for a day for those paying to stay on holiday. However I read your post and see how much fun you had and feel I really must try to find a way to make it work. I love the sound of the goats cheese, we don’t milk ours but it always sounds such a lovely idea and I do adore goats cheese! As for hay bale vaulting mine would definitely have done this too and so would I if only I felt I still could! Thank you for sharing your day with me on Country Kids.

    1. Difficult one for you, as a local invasion may not be exactly what your staying visitors expected. Unless you advertised it well in advance before they booked. Made it a feature. I liked the event as not only was it encouraging people to visit who had not been on a farm before, but also locals who could lend their support year round. And everyone inbetween.

    1. The hay vaulting wasn’t an intended activity, I don’t think. The hay bales made the seating area. It was the end of the day and most families were packing up, so there was room to run up and jump. No chance of stopping them.

  2. It looks like you had a great day and I’m really jealous because I forgot it was open farm day and we went out on Saturday (my daughter is poorly and wouldn’t have been able to manage two days out in a row) We have a farm just up the road that normally is only open for it’s shop and cafe and I would have loved a tour of the farm. I will have to remember next year. (We only recently moved here)
    #countrykids

    1. Good excuse to explore a local resource. We loved it and the weather helped to make it a good day. Hope you are able to visit next year. I know my children loved it.

  3. I love farms too! Probably more than my daughter. 🙂 I am avoiding them at the minute as I am pregnant and I know i wouldn’t be able to resist cuddling the lambs. Love the hay bale photo! Popping over via Country Kids. x

  4. What a great day out! We didn’t make it to open farm Sunday this year but I wish we had. I grew up on a farm and I love it when my kids get a chance to see a farm in action. Great photos too! #CountryKids

  5. We love farm open days too and agree with buying local products. We are fortunate to having a lot of farms on our doorstep to explore. Thanks for sharing your wonderful day #countrykids

  6. I just found your blog after you visited mine for #countrykids (so Hello and thank you!), we didn’t make any open farm Sunday events this year as my van broke down but it is an event I love. The farm near you sounds lovely, I do like the idea of trying different types of goats cheese!

  7. It looks and sounds like they put on a wonderful event. I do like goats cheese, it would have been fun to sample different kinds. I like the idea of being able to take a goat for a walk 🙂

  8. I’d planned to go to an open farm but decided on a camping trip at the last minute so we didn’t end up visiting one this year. I really like the idea of taking a kid for a walk; that would have been fun and I’m guessing young goats aren’t quite as headstrong as the adult ones!

  9. We made our first Open Farms Sunday event this year too. It’s a great initiative isn’t it? Looks like Wookey had a lot on offer. Loving the kids to take for a walk – inspired! Maybe we have to head down to see the family near Wookey for next year – looks like a particularly good event. Good luck with all that produce tracking and trying!

  10. What a great idea, must look out for some locally. Love that jumping the haystack picture, looks like a really good day out. We have a Shop Local scheme and I try to support that, would love to see more local produce here in suburbia! Good luck with your pup on hols btw! #countrykids

  11. The Open Farm Sunday event is a great way to make children familiar with the role of farms and it looks like you all had a fun day. We also try to get Tilly to appreciate the seasons and to support local produce where we can. I found your post on #countrykids

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