Building ‘Roots to the Moon’
Four years ago, myself, Joanna and Paul my partner bought the derelict farmhouse and neglected land of Green Oak Farm, (Formally known as Scrag Oak) living in a caravan for the first 18 months, we have been working tirelessly on a shoestring to bring this farm and house back into production. It’s taken a while as Paul continues to work full time as a carpenter and Joiner and Joanna as a Shamanic practitioner and Biodynamic/organic farm inspector.
From this….
To this…
We are nearly there (just need a cow shed and a shop) and are delighted and excited to say that we have been given planning permission to build a farm shop, at the end of our farm track on Brightling Road, Robertsbridge to offer our friends and neighbours home grown Biodynamic and Organic Produce from our farm. In a world where global corporations and soul-less supermarkets increasingly dominate the food industry, we hope to make a difference, albeit small and local, growing from the grassroots, (if you pardon the pun) and so we are contacting other local farmer’s to join us, to show case and offer their produce for sale too.
What is Organic?
Organic is growing without chemical pesticides, herbicides or unnatural fertilisers. Organic prioritises soil health and biodiversity as this brings us fertile soils to grow our produce and/or our pasture, which in turn feeds our animals and us. Organic farming has animal welfare at its core, and strict rules exist to ensure good practice. However, there is a way to go beyond organic, starting with organic principals but actively healing land and supporting micro-organisms which feed ecosystems and that is to be Biodynamic. All biodynamic growers and farmers have to be legally certified organic first and foremost, this is the base line, the qualification to be able to step beyond…
What is ‘Biodynamic’
A biodynamic farm is a living organism made up of many elements; pastures, plants, animals, wildlife, trees, bees, the people that make up the community, the micro-biome of the soil, the water, air and sunlight. Biodynamics isbiodiversity, it is sustainable, ecologically sound, ethical and regenerative. Biodynamic farmers also include in this ecosystem, the movements of the moon, the rhythms of the cosmos and energetics behind the physical to support the holistic fertility and vitality of the whole. Food produced with respect for the ecosystem it inhabits, is food that feeds your body with vibrant nutrients, your energetic self with vitality and your soul with love.
We only treat our animals with herbs and homeopathy, being small we can keep a keen eye on animal health and aim to keep them healthy and well with balanced nutritional species rich pastures and abundant hedgerows to allow them to self select their herbal intake and utilise their medicine. We opt for prevention of illness based in well balanced health, rather than attempt cure of illness.
Being small and holistic, at Roots to the Moon we have a range of small lines of production, we have four saddleback pigs per year, four Traditional Hereford cows (two with calves), thirty eight chickens and eight mixed breed sheep. We also have eighteen Sussex Variety Apple trees, eight plum trees and make Apple Cider Vinegar each year. Paul also shoots his own (overpopulated) deer in the neighbouring woodland, so wild venison will also be on the menu. We grow small amounts of healthy veg plants and luscious vegetables, we are developing our herb garden and will sell our own Biodynamic composts and herbal tea treatments for the garden.
We love to learn and love to share what we have learned and so we also run workshops including: Veg growing, Biodynamic principals and practices, Organic producing, Living alongside wildlife, Herbal animal and plant treatments, Fermenting, Apple cider vinegar making etc. We welcome visits from schools and alternative provision and love to do farm tours. We ran a community veg garden last year which grew into a Community Interest Company of core members, this is due to develop into a herbal healing garden this year, we also welcome volunteers who wish to join in and learn along side us.
From a spiritual/energetic/healing perspective we run regular shamanic activities: Journeying circles, Full Moon Fire Ceremonies, Drum making workshops, Healing Circle groups, Deer honouring work, Plant and Herb medicine workshops and various Green Therapies.
Why we’re Crowdfunding
Building the infrastructure of the farm, was much more work than we had bargained for both in regards to personal labour and finances, even with the generous labour offered by our supporters. How or where the farm meets the community is very important to us, we want people to come and visit the farm, see where their food comes from, meet those who take care of the land, look after the animals and produce the food. We are here to serve our community, to help counteract the current ‘war’ on farming, be part of the movement for freedom of production and help enable food security. Our farm shop, our community garden is a junction, a hub of this activity, it is the vital heartbeat of the farm, which is why we’re asking for your help! – Come and join us, help us beat the system, stay in control of your own food, secure your future…
What your support can help us achieve
So as to reduce our impact on the land (Where Great Crested Newts likely live) We are building our shop from two wooden clad shipping containers, which will be placed on concrete slabs, to ensure our Biodiversity Net Gain we will be planting more fruit and nut trees, more herbs and more habitat for the wildlife.
So first and foremost the funds will go towards building the actual shop itself, anything we achieve above this amount will go towards the interior shelving, fridges, freezers, electrics and of course the herb healing garden etc.
The former pig paddock is being transformed into a healing herb garden that surrounds the shop, you are welcome to come and join us while we work, while we chat and put the world to rights…
What to expect in the new Farm Shop
Roots to the Moon Farm Shop will supply a range of our own certified produce from Pork, Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Eggs, Veg, ACV and Herbs, to, Deer skin drums and Handmade gardening tools, from Biodynamic compost and treatment teas, to books and information on Biodynamic and Organic living. To make it even more exciting we will be selling produce from our neighbouring producers: wines, craft beer, milk, organic veg boxes, biodynamic and organic where possible. You can also pop by and get a cup of coffee and maybe an organic cake or two. The target crowdfunding hoped for here is 50% of the set up costs.
Roots to the Moon is certified by the Biodynamic Association as both Organic and Biodynamic, we are independently inspected every year to ensure we are in line with the complexities associated with Organic and Biodynamic production to ensure that you know the food you are purchasing is produced to the very highest of standards.
Thank you
Our heart felt thanks to those who have contributed to our crowdfund, to those who have offered your labour and support to date and to those who will come to be a part of our growing community.
