ABOUT DANDELION FARM
“The name Dandelion Farm was decided when I bought my friend up to the site in early June and the site was just one mass of dandelions.”
I first looked at the site in December 2017 and completed on the site on April 2018.
The name Dandelion Farm was decided when I bought my friend up to the site in early June and the site was just one mass of dandelions.
The site was completely empty and work began. The first thing to start was digging out a drive way and hardcoring this to enable access to site.
I finally moved onsite on 21st June 2018, this is when the real work began. I mowed the site and this use to take me all day on the tractor. Then work started on the various paddocks which were created. I can honestly can say that I have discovered muscles I did not know existed. The various paddocks were created and ducks, rabbits and geese started to arrive. I then decided that I would look into pigs. I was originally looking at Gloucester Old Spots but then a herd of Mangalitsas became available. Looked interesting and after some research I collected a mixed herd of 14 from Bath. I then purchased 3 Boars from Kent. I then purchased 5 Scotch Mules with 6 lambs at foot. More ducks and geese arrived and various rabbits over time. A further 5 Welsh Mules arrives with 10 lambs at foot and this is how Dandelion Farm’s livestock began. Livestock is growing and decreasing all the time but for different reasons.
The mating programme began. In 2019 have I my first 6 litters of piglets. How beautiful this was to watch and be a part of. My sows are not crated and have their litters naturally and to watch the piglets progress and grow is simply amazing. They love to play football and have tummy rubs and even cuddles if you are lucky. I have spent hours in my pig arks with my sows rubbing their tummies through their contractions. Although my grandad was a farmer I never really got involved with the farming side of things but wish I had. My grandad was originally a pig farmer down in Shropshire, then moved up to Lincolnshire. I do wish he was still here so that he could help and guide me, he would have loved this. I did my first lambing season in June/July 2019 (I know I am late lambing) with the help and advice from my good friend Sam. I have had my hand inside of some of my ewes and delivered them and even given mouth to mouth to my lambs when necessary. I have certainly changed over these last few years but would not change any of it. Farming is so rewarding, from birth to death and getting amazing reviews and feedback from customers makes it all worthwhile.
All the animals are free range and have various paddocks to roam and forage. The animals are feed wheat grain, barley and hay sourced from local farmers in the surrounding area. The animals have a variety of fresh fruit and veg. I believe that they should have as natural produce as possible as this enhances the flavour of the meats. As years ago farmers never had processed feed for their animals. My animals are very well cared for and have plenty of fuss and cuddles. They love to see visitors and always have a warm welcome for them. I believe that animals should be treated with as much respect as humans and whilst they are with me they have a beautiful life and my customers have said that this reflects in the flavours and taste in my produce.
Dandelion Farm is a smallholding which cares about the environment and is almost self-sufficient. My intention is that my animals are loved, well looked after and have the best and most natural life that they should have. I hope that all these things reflect in my produce.