My Blog is back

More news from Whitehouse Farm Oast

It's been quite some time since my previous post. Therefore, writing this blog is a delightful chance to reflect on January to March, observing the growth and development of our farm, and remembering the fun we've had and the lovely guests who came to visit and lend a hand.

The sheep are thriving, even though our 20 acres of pasture suffered during the wet winter months. We are very thankful to have discovered some nearby pasture to rent for the summer, just a minute's drive down the hill from our home. The fortunate sheep will enjoy breathtaking views of the valley during their summer retreat, and we will experience the challenge of loading 42 sheep into a trailer.

We had a couple patients. One little sheep (138) now named Violet, a delicate flower, who has always been the smallest of the flock took a turn for the worst in early March and looked very sickly. So we created a cosy space in the barn for her and friend to get her out of the way of the winds and rain, feed her on a special molasses sheep lick for extra energy (bit like luzoade for sheep), hay, water and a dose of medicine. She is looking alot better and we hope to have her and her friend out in the field again soon enjoying the sunshine. Our next patient was spotted limping in the field two weeks ago and required getting all the sheep in so we could turn and check her, paring back her hoof which was overgrown and treating any infection that might have crept in. Happily she seems to be fine back in the field skipping around.

Brooke and mini Brooke

All these tasks have been successful and significantly less stressful due to the assistance and guidance of the experienced shepherdess and dairy farmer Brooke. She effortlessly manages her own flock of sheep and two young boys. We are very thankful to have been introduced to Brooke, and interestingly, history seems to be repeating itself. Her husband's uncle, Mick Wootton, used to assist Michael Shepherd, the former owner of Whitehouse Farm Oast. I discovered this in Michael Shepherd's autobiography, where he fondly described his relationship with Mick Wootton as a 'forceful character full of knowledge' who was very helpful to him, 'providing essential local knowledge crucial for anyone farming the land.'

These past few months have also been full of opportunities to visit farms, take farm business skills courses, and meet cheesemakers through contacts made by a local pasture farmers group and the Academy of Cheese. Tristram has taken more courses at Plumpton College, adding to his valuable list of skills we need, from pest and weed management to Lambing 101. Next weekend, we will be spending our Easter weekend helping out with lambing at a farm in Kent.

While sheep don't send emails, setting up a dairy farm requires a significant amount of computer work and emails: reaching out to suppliers, obtaining quotes, meeting with various companies, reviewing plans and handling all the paperwork. Works start in April and soon I hope to share pictures of new barns and milking facilities.

The hard work pays off when you can share it with friends, and we enjoyed having people to stay and we appreciate their help so much. Our extra special thanks to our wonderful neighbours Gillian and Colin, and Julian for their invaluable support in joining the team when we have to move the sheep across the lane.