We acquired the farm in 2002, immediately converting it all organic, and undertaking a wide range of conservation projects, such as planting hedges and reverting arable land back to downland; all part of the process of reversing the ravages of ‘modern farming’. Full accreditation by the Soil Association was achieved in 2005.
Organic farming minimises climate change and pollution by using lower fossil fuel inputs; conventional farming is dependant on artificial fertiliser and sprays that are produced from fossil fuel.
We believe organic farming reduces health risks to the consumer, increases biodiversity and wildlife numbers, improves animal welfare via its strict guidelines, is sustainable and of course produces the best tasting produce!
All the meat that we sell is born, reared and butchered on our farm, giving complete confidence in its provenance, traceability and quality, as well as in the high quality life the animal led. We are lucky that our small, local abattoir is only 7 miles away and all the poultry is slaughtered on the farm, thereby minimising stress to the animals.
We endeavour to sell as much of our produce as locally as possible, via our
farm shop and a box scheme to the local community, to local restaurants and hotels, and with our cereals to local mills.
Our farm has numerous bridleways and footpaths which we are keen for people to use to share the beauty of our countryside, as well as enabling people to see the farm ‘in action’. In our
farm shop we have maps with suggested walking routes and can update walkers on what to see where.
Alastair Cooper
Sydling Brook Organic