Our Wednesday’s group of students, who have learning difficulties, were getting all excited because an assessor was coming to the farm to decide if they were gaining anything from working one day a week at the Farm. Bear in mind that when this group first started their training in September, they had not had any contact with animals, and most of them found communicating with other people a stressful challenge. The morning that the assessor arrived, I watched them rushing around the farm to make sure that their well rehearsed display was going to plan: animals being moved, chicken houses cleaned, and a good healthy hen was caught. Then the real thing: this group of students had to demonstrate to the assessor how they could sell a chicken (they didn’t know that the assessor had no knowledge of chickens). As the questions were asked, each student answered the finer facts of poultry keeping confidently, going into great detail about what the chicken should eat, how the house should be cleaned, and more importantly, how to identify different ailments in the chicken. I know that Jo, their tutor, was pleased, but I was chuffed as well because we were able to prove that if you give these students a chance, they can develop so many skills just working alongside the animals.
In my opinion every parent should attend a First Aid Course, even if it’s just a one day emergency First aid course. If nothing else, it gives us a little more confidence in dealing with an accident. Like riding a bike it soon comes back to you when required, and our staff who have attended a First Aid Course, run by Steve & Sue Gravells, always come back singing their praises.
Who would want a goat as a pet? When our visitors see the young kids, you often hear: “I want one”. We show them Abs - our grown up Anglo Nubian goat, who is the size of a Shetland pony! Now if that doesn’t put them off, we explain that adult goats can quite easily jump a 5’ fence, and devour the neighbours’ prize roses in less than 10 minutes! Or that they will de-bark any tree that you have, and, of course, they are browsers, not grazers; so they will not keep your grass down. After all that said, we do sell many goats throughout the country as ‘land clearers’. And brilliant at it, they are too.
Planning is in progress for the New Forest Show. Yes, we have been asked back to run the animal tent once again. We have some new ideas in the making, so we are looking forward to another great show,
Good Friday was the busiest day that the farm has experienced in the 30 years that it has been open, with people swarming in all day. By the time the evening came, the staff were on their knees, and I heard the goats muttering: “No more feed please”. Despite the volume of people, everyone seemed to have a good time, and the atmosphere was a really happy one. The whole of the Easter holidays were busy, despite the catchy weather, and everyone seemed to enjoy the fun Easter egg trails that we planned. All ten hidden golden eggs were eventually found each day—I don’t know who was more excited when an egg was found—the adult or the child! Great fun!
Finally, I have given in, and purchased a pair of miniature pigs. I have always been a little reluctant to purchase these small pigs, as I have not been convinced that they will stay small. Having visited a breeder in the West Country, and checked out his breeding stock, I viewed two cute piglets. I was still uncertain how small these little girls will stay, but after a lot of bullying from staff and family, I finally gave in and purchased them. Come and see them here at the Farm. Look forward to
seeing you soon. Farmer Bryan.
