The land the Oldfield’s bought was a single, stony, weedy field with no infrastructure. Care of the Earth has always been the main focus of the farm, but over the years the family have lived and worked there, they have at times really struggled, with combining other essential functions they need. These include; making an income from the land; healthy parenting, and having the energy to make their projects happen. Just before Tracy undertook her PDC, the Oldfields seriously considered giving up on the farm, as they felt they had run out of the human energy needed to keep it all afloat. Fortunately undertaking the PDC, and then further learning and experience as a Diploma Apprentice has equipped and empowered Tracy to instead take the work at Beaminster Bottom Farm to a whole new level.
Beaminster Bottom Farm uses permaculture tools, principles and ethics within its design. Since Tracy’s increased understanding about permaculture, along with the Earth care, which has been at the centre of her farming work, she has been using many more aspects of permaculture theory.
The key elements of the farm now are
- Food growing in a way that is compatible with the challenges of the land there.
- No-dig/hugel beds.
- Animal systems (free range: sheep, ducks, rabbits and chickens)
- Woodland areas, including coppice, incorporating 1,000’s trees planted over the past 12 years.
- Increased financial stability for the family from work undertaken on the Land, with the aim that Tracy and James can both work on their farm and parent fulltime.
- Education and teaching/inspiring by example, for the local community and beyond, about the work on the land .
- ‘Growing’ and celebrating the spiritual dimension of the farm by connecting the local church with the land and activities there
In addition, the overall design for the Beaminster Bottom Farm demonstrates how beneficial and vital the interconnectedness of these elements is, to the regeneration of both the land and family/community there.
Using the tools, principles and ethics of permaculture, has given Tracy and her family many ways of integrating the various systems on the farm and effectively evaluating their work. Developing permaculture knowledge and practice has also meant that their land now uses less energy dependent resources, and has improved the quality and quantity of its outputs – including beautiful aesthetics relating to the projects undertaken, and increased enjoyment of those. It has also enabled the Oldfields to make the progress they need in the long-term vision goals they had for the farm.
Tracy’s work and her vision for the future is about engaging community (both local – and for Tracy that includes her Church – and online through her website and social media). People who visit Beaminster Bottom Farm use the term ‘inspirational’ by the work that Tracy and her family have done there. But, perhaps most importantly, since using permaculture design as an integral part of how the farm works, the whole family are now more engaged and connected with it, meaning increased resilience in terms of its future.
Some of the key exciting plans for near future, at the farm include:
- Running a practical smallholding course later this year with Pat Bowcock from Ourganics. The course will take place on both sites, Beaminster Bottom Farm and Ourganics.
- Exploring the possibility of integrating bee hives into the farm design.
- Working on a project to further connect the local community with the farm
- Adding in accommodation for visitors to the farm, with the addition of an off grid ‘shepherds hut’.
Photos all by Beaminster Bottom Farm
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