Fwd: August Newsletter: Open Day, Plot updates & A Request!

[CSA Network UK]

Latest newsletter from the Ecological Land Co-op, with a few nice mentions about the CSA Network UK

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ecological Land Co-operative <communi...@ecologicalland.coop>
Date: Fri, Aug 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Subject: August Newsletter: Open Day, Plot updates & A Request!
To: csanet...@gmail.com

August Newsletter View this email in your browser August Newsletter   Flail Mower Request! The Greenham smallholders are looking for a flail mower -- can you help? They are seeking to get their hands on something similar to this. The ATV150 Flail Mower would be their preferred choice as it is made in the UK, is easily serviced, has an adjustable offset for towing and has a good 1.5 cutting width saving time and fuel. Any ideas, leads of mowers going spare, or if you would like to make a donation to the smallholders then please contact communications@ecologicalland.coop But why a flail mower I hear you ask? Well... It cuts the grass and weeds into tiny pieces and this mulch feeds the soil. It cuts long grass and tough weeds even brambles and rushes. So three cuts a year would do it. It bludgeons weeds which knock them back and they take longer to recover, giving the grass more time to establish. It rolls as it cuts which improves the turf. It does not fling stones and debris out making it safer to use. It is better on sloping land as it will not scalp the soil at a high point. The flails will not break on an immovable object they just go over the top. It doesn't lay down a thick mat of grass(like a topper) which excludes the light and kills the grass letting weeds take hold. It is self powered so can be towed by any vehicle with a tow hitch (i.e. you don't need a tractor). Apply to be the UK Farm Manager for Lush Cosmetics. Lush are on the look out for an experienced and knowledgeable Farm Manager with an extensive eco-agricultural background to manage their UK Farm. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in land design, agricultural training and demonstration of regenerative land use.   This is a project with big scope as they want to takes things into their own hands and produce seasonal materials to supply their Poole based manufacturing sites where their cosmetic products are crafted by hand. They are looking to transform degraded pastures into productive land as well as opportunities to restore and support wildlife corridors.  Find out more here.   Greenham Reach Open Day The good folk at Greenham Reach are opening their doors to visitors on Saturday 30th September, 2pm - 5pm. Come on down and see smallholding life and how a diverse array of plants, people and business have replaced the bare arable and pasture that was there before. Enjoy refreshments and meet the smallholders on site. Address: Greenham Reach, Wellington, Devon, TA21 0JY Hands on the Land One of the key issues we feel passionately about at ELC is getting new entrants into agriculture. It’s with great pleasure - and interest - our good friends, the Land Workers Alliance (LWA), have written a policy paper on just that featuring the ELC. ‘Hands on the Land: New Entrants in Agriculture’ proposes a number of policies on how we can support new entrants to agriculture in a post-Brexit world. Jyoti Fernandes, LWA spokesperson, says: “‘It’s a common misconception that there is a lack of motivation and ambition among a younger generation to engage with farming as a livelihood. However, for a growing number of young people farming represents a positive response to the challenges of climate change, globalisation and social inequality.” For more info & to download the paper click here. Uncertain Harvest? CPRE Report According to CPRE's new report 'Uncertain harvest: does the loss of farms matter?', we have lost over a fifth of English farms in the past ten years, with smaller farms being the worst affected. Should these trends continue, farms under 50 hectares could all but disappear from the English countryside by the middle of the century. A sobering thought indeed. In light of post-Brexit realities, might smaller farms hold the key to a diversity of food, wildlife and more jobs for rural workers? CPRE are keen to hear your views. If you want to join the discussion on social media check the hashtag #farmingforesight. For more info & to download the report click here. Harmony in Food & Farming In July the Sustainable Food Trust (SFT) organised two days of talks and debates around the principles of Harmony - the grammar of the natural world - through the lens of farming and food. A stellar cast of speakers and thinkers, doers and makers, converged casting light and generating ideas all of which the SFT have kindly made freely available to (re)view on film. A write up of the event can be read here by our very own Phil Moore, writing for Permaculture Magazine. Lewes October Feast A feast of events is returning to Lewes again this year from September 15th – October 8th  to celebrate all things food. There's tastings, markets, pop up restaurants, workshops, quizzes and even an apple pressing. On October 2nd an especially interesting event is coming to town - 'What Would a Rural, Land and Food Policy for the Many Taste Like?' featuring a speaker from the ELC. Check it out here.    NEWS FROM THE PLOTS Elder Farm Despite the drizzle the growth continues at Elder Farm. Harvesting Calendula when the rain has stopped being one of our major tasks over the last month. We’ve been delighted to have international WWOOF’ers helping us out too. What with the wet weather we even had a lunch (yes, lunch!) ‘round the fire! Tuesday continues to be our regular local volunteer day and we’re looking forward to the open day on 30th September.   Steepholding The first birthday of Steepholding's veg box scheme was celebrated in style on Midsummer’s eve, with masses of amazing food, great music and people. We’re pleased to say that a new part of our farm has been fenced allowing us to cultivate an extra ⅓ of an acre for growing more veg!  We’ve also been welcoming new members to our veg box scheme -- please share the word! Ben Raskin of the Soil Association and CSA network paid us a visit which was really nice and good for morale. One bit of advice he did give: more events for you! As a CSA having regular workdays and socials is a great way to meet, connect and grow. So… if you’re about, you’re welcome to come by. No skills or previous experience required: Sat Sept 19th Sat Oct 14th From 10am to 2pm -- shared lunch and shelter! Bring something to share.  Oh, and we’re continuing with our regular volunteer days on Thursdays. Get in touch via our website here. Talking of CSA’s on Saturday 30th September we’ll be celebrating the national CSA open day to coincide with the Greenham Reach open day! Wild Geese Acres The salad, flowers and veg continue to sell well with the whole of the market garden now planted. An above ground pond for geese is nearly finished (just need a liner...but ouch are they expensive or what!). Our new pigs have arrived and the plan is to breed from one of the females so we’re hoping for piglets mid 2018 (rare breed Oxford sandy and black). Out of the previous five pigs, around 80% have been sold, with the rest for family and friends and myself. The lambs are growing well and should be ready by end of September. Copyright © 2017 Ecological Land Co-operative, All rights reserved. You are receiving this because you have expressed an interest in the co-op's work in the past and we thought this would be of interest to you. Our mailing address is: Ecological Land Co-operative Unit B04, The Brighton Eco-centre Brighton, East Sussex BN1 3PB United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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Maresa Bossano | CSA Network UK Co-ordinator

www.communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk