THERE IS A HUGE LEVEL OF INTEREST IN HOW THE FOOD WE EAT IS PRODUCED.
There were hundreds of visitors to Asney Park Farm, Erbistock and The Home Farm,Overton on 10 June.
Mike Done and Dave Everett estimated gate numbers of 200-300 through the day with all ages represented and a lot of families with young children. All eager to be connected with the world of the family farm,the animals and also the teas, coffees and ice creams!
Genuine questions were answered by Dave as to how the chick emerges from its egg. The "pipping" process breaches the air sack in the egg and the chick is then "talking to mum". The "chipping" needs to be done to break out of the shell. The mother needs to provide moisture so the duck will get herself wet so that her chick can turn round in the shell to hatch.
The little boy in the photograph is discovering a chick which had hatched on that day with Dave explaining.
Mike and his son Matthew gave tours (which included a tractor ride down the fields) of their organic, family dairy farm, taking people through the ages of the calves, the milking parlour, the dairy to the final products of milk, cheese and Woodlands Ice Cream.
Seeing the industry at first hand is important to people who value high standards of animal husbandry and prefer to buy British produced food.
Both Mike and Dave are very good spokesmen for the farming Industry and chose to take part in this National event to allow people to see for themselves how their farms operate.
You will be able to try some Home Farm produced pork at the Overton Fete on 23rd June at the hog roast.
Dave and Alison's farm cafe and coffee shop has a very good coffee machine if any of you fancy a coffee escape or maybe some advice on keeping chickens or a Gloucester Old Spot! (open every day except Mondays).
