Last week we showed John and Dan from Radio 4 around the farm and shop.
The programme they were making was titled "Farming on the urban fringe", being within the M25 (just) this is exactly what we do.
Apart from visiting some of the calving cows in the fields, looking at various animals in the barns (mainly pigs) and visiting the farm shop, we talked about what it is like as a Farmer to work so close to populated areas. I agreed to do this because I am passionate about farming and the living countryside. In my opinion the two are inseperable and totally dependent on each other.
There are difficulties farming here which may not be unique to other Farmers, but are much more common than in areas away from towns. Shabden Park Farm attracts visitors because it is a beautiful setting, valleys of wild flower meadows, large areas of woodlands, wildlife and farm animals thrive together here. There is a network of footpaths that provide access to these areas, and we see many families, ramblers and dog walkers enjoying our home and workplace.
Now and again difficulties arise, I was not joking about being reported to Trading Standards and having State vets visit the farm, all because I had various different animals in the same field! Why on earth not? It is a farm.
At times I have even found RSPCA inspectors wandering off footpaths looking at my animals, all this because of the odd person judging what they see without any knowledge. May I add that the first stop for anyone visiting this farm who may be concerned about the welfare of any animal, is the farm house.

Dogs worrying stock, gates being left open are some of the other things we all here and know about. By being accessable, communicating and showing what caring professionals farmers are, I hope that I can minimise these mis-understandings. This is why on farmers market days and most saturdays, I open up my workplace for anyone to come and visit and ask questions. Shabden Park Farm is not an open farm hosting birthday parties and offering cream teas, it is a traditional family farm that is run commercialy, alongside and in tune with wildlife and the environment.

A big thank you to Radio 4 for letting me voice my opinions and get the message across, also for promoting the farm shop and all the farm shops in the country that provide wholesome, traceable food and re-connect people with their food. A hugely important issue and as I am sure you can tell, something very close to my heart.