SUPER STUDENTS

 The weather during the school holidays was fairly kind to us: not too hot and not too wet, with lots of cloud, meaning that most days of the holiday we were able to operate the tractor rides - much to the delight of thousands of 'mini farmers'. Of course, it did literally bucket it down on Bank Holiday Monday, but despite all that rain, it was amazing how many people turned up. And I thought that I was going to have to feed all the goats on my own! 

We have a new group of students from Southampton and Brockenhurst colleges, and also from Great Oaks school. Each group will attend the Farm for one day a week during term-time, working alongside our staff in order to gain experience working with animals. Quite a few of these students have learning difficulties, so it is very gratifying to me to see how much confidence they gain in just two or three visits by simply getting outside of their home environment and joining in with the daily activities at Longdown. Our volunteer scheme has also been a great success with over 20 regular volunteers joining the staff with the daily chores. So, combining the volunteers and students, we are now giving over 60 people a chance to 'get involved' each month, and judging by their comments and the smiles on their faces, I'm pleased to report that our work with the students and volunteers continues to be a great success.
We have more bookings for school groups this autumn, with several schools benefiting from the glorious extended summer weather. The schools have found that it's been a good 'bonding exercise' to bring their new pupils out to the Farm in the first term, aiding friendship and teamwork. Once back at school, the pupils can also discuss the experiences of the day and the animals they've met, giving further bonding opportunities.  

It might as well be spring what with all the baby animals arriving on the Farm: new chicks and ducklings are arriving on a regular basis, the Kune Kune pigs have decided to farrow now that the holidays are over, and we are now receiving over 100 goat kids over the next few weeks. We have so many goat kids as the large goat herds have changed their breeding policy to ensure the nanny goats will produce more milk during the winter whilst the milk prices rise. So lots of little mouths to feed! 

I never realised how popular straw bales could be! As a farmer, straw is something that you use to bed down the animals with, then you dig it out and spread it over the field, and wait to get complaints about how much it smells! However, during the last few months there have been quite a few requests for bales to go to school fetes, weddings, parties, and even to put into ponds to help keep the water clear! So, please let me know if you would like to borrow some bales for your next event - it's cheaper than hiring in chairs and obviously at the cutting edge of fashion!            

Before we know it, half-term will be upon us. We will be open daily with our usual schedule  of hands-on activities. There will be a few spooky surprises on Friday 31st October when The Creature Teachers visit with their barn owls and creepy creatures. There will be pumpkin carving and paper bat making too. Children in scary fancy dress will gain entry for just £4.50 on 31st October 2014. 

Look forward to seeing you soon. 

FARMER BRYAN