Community Farmer Day Saturday 12 May 2012

The sun came out to greet volunteers at the Community Farmer Day on Saturday, 12 May, and it didn’t rain all day!   It was just as well because there was a lot of digging to do; trenches, holes and channels for a myriad of purposes; for the new asparagus planting, for a row of bike racks and shelter supports outside the old stone barn, and housing for an electricity cable.  There was some weeding to do as well to remove thistles that had intermingled with ripening asparagus plants.

So, after a morning of pretty back-breaking work, we gladly set up tables and chairs in the barn yard and sat down to enjoy a delicious bowl of aromatic soup with bread and cheese.  Then, while munching our way through cakes and apples, we had a quick round robin session about the Strategic Plan for the future direction of the Farm before heading back to our tasks.

There was a good turnout last Saturday and it never ceases to surprise me what a wide range of talent there is amongst volunteers.  I learned a little about solar panelling, surveying and evaluating public service buildings, speech therapy, the resurrection of the Estrada Real in Brazil, carving specs out of wood (they really are stunning) and studying horticulture at Bristol City College, apart of course from receiving expert guidance in planting asparagus, and the rudiments of construction from John and Phil who led the day.

I also learned that the regular downpours over the past month have put back the planting for this year, but the good news is that volunteers now have a secure place on site to keep their bikes, and once the shelter for the barn is finished, there will also be a dry indoor and outdoor area in which to work, or relax, and with electricity on site we can put the kettle on for a cuppa!   If you haven’t signed up for a Community Farmer Day yet, it really is worth a go.

Viv Brinsdon - Community Farmer!