Farming with the moon

Plaw Hatch cows with hornsLook Mummy all the cows have horns, said Theo.  Yes Theo, all the cows here keep their horns, I answered. And someday they’ll be used to make cow horn manure to make the soil fertile.

calves drinking from cows udder

Look Mommy the calves are drinking milk, said Luce. (She still calls me Mommy rather than Mummy). Yes Luce, the same raw milk I buy for you sometimes. Raw milk? She asked. The creamy milk you like that is unpasteurised, I answered.

And these are outdoor cows – not kept indoors all their lives – which I’ve highlighted in this post.

empty milk bottles

Empty milk bottles

We were visiting a local biodynamic farm called Plaw Hatch Farm. It’s cooperatively owned and is comprised of two farms – Plaw Hatch and Tablehurst – near Forest Row in Sussex. I regularly stop at the farm shop to buy bread, fresh vegetable and fruits, cheese and milk.

bread plaw hatch farm shop

tomatoes vegetables farm shop

I often go for a walk around the farm with my kids. You don’t need a guide or a ticket. You’re allowed to wander around by yourself or join one of their walking tours. I have to admit I didn’t really know anything about biodynamic farming until I started buying the fresh produce and meat sold in the shop.

luce theo biodynamic farm

Bales of hay in barn

Friends and locals recommended the shop. People drive from afar just to buy the raw milk (which is highly regulated). And quite a few mentioned to me – sometimes with raised eyebrows – that the coop planted, sowed and more according to when the moon is waxing or waning. But everyone agrees that the food produced by the farm was amazing. I agree.

landscape biodynamic farm

Biodynamic farming is sometimes described as being run according to ‘spiritual science’ or holistic techniques. One of the main aims is that the farm runs as a self-maintaining self-contained eco-system.  It’s not just organic farming. They also use old traditional methods of planting and harvesting according to the phases of the moon and the stars. The origins of the biodynamic movement stem from a series of lectures by the Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolph Steiner in the 1920s. (The same now known for Steiner schools).

You can find more information on biodynamic farming here.

Biodynamic farm polytunnels

tomatoes polytunnel

fork in soilinside a polytunnel

Wild flowers are grown alongside vegetables in the polytunnels. wild flowers in cornerwildflowers-in-polytunnelThis is to attract bees to help with pollination. There are also pigs, chickens, sheep and orchards. The hay that feeds the animal is from the farm’s land.

chickens plaw hatch The welfare of the animals is a prerogative. So horns are not taken off and dairy cows are not overmilked.  Horns from dead cattle are used with cow dung to make a type of compost which is buried in the ground.

cow in fieldThe whole biodynamic farm with its plants and animals works together as well as hand-in-hand with nature. Quite a few top wine producers in France and the US now have biodynamic vineyards. Like the food I buy in the shop, the wine is considered superb.

So, yes often we go for a walk around Old Plaw Hatch as it’s also known. There’s just something special about allowing my kids to see how the land and the animals work together harmoniously. And if you’re in Sussex I recommend a visit.

17 thoughts on “Farming with the moon”

  1. What an amazing place, fantastic for Luce and Theo to see first hand how farming like this works. As a vegetarian, traditional farming like this is something that I like to see, respecting animals and having a holistic approach. Fabulous photos too, of course 🙂 #CountryKids

    1. Thanks Sara. It really is lovely showing Luce and Theo a farm like this. I do want them to learn that, as you say, we should respect the land and the animals that feed us.

  2. I love the sound of this farm and that you can wander around by yourselves. I must say I’ve never heard of farming according to the moon, but I do know our hens have stopped laying till spring thanks to the winter daylight hours. A fascinating post, thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.

    1. Thanks Fiona. It’s a community co-operative so they’re very welcoming about having a wander around when we want. Apparently there are now biodynamic farms in over 50 countries around the world.

  3. This sounds amazing, it looks beautiful and really really interesting!!! Great food as well…..BONUS!! I don’t blame you for going for walks there often!

  4. That sounds like a wonderful place to have a wander and their approach to farming sounds perfect – working with nature and the eco-systems. I am sure that must help improve the quality of their produce and how lovely for your children to be able to learn about it too.

  5. Sounds like a great place to visit and a slightly larger scale than how we live our lives here in France. It is so important for kids to learn where food comes from. We don’t have enough space for cows to give us raw milk … but we do buy it from the neighbouring farm instead and when it arrives in the morning it is still warm!

  6. I love the idea of how they farm. Most of the farming methods in my country is guided by the sun and moon as well. The older farmers in my country has this sensitive instinct in them. They feel the earth and they know when its the right time. The farm looks so nice. One of the places I wish I can visit now. #countrykids

  7. Oh wow Kriss this place sounds amazing, I love that you can just wander round. Fascinating post and I love the photos x

  8. WOW it looks like you could spend an entire day there just learning how it all works. I think I would loved visiting myself. Love the photos too, especially the very curious looking cow in the first pic!

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