The Small Farm Training Group

Community market, Ringmer
2022-04-23 10:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
Many of the SFTG members often have excess produce throughout the year so the monthly market will provide them with an outlet. These markets will offer local artists, makers, bakers, preservers etc the opportunity to sell their wares. There will be teas & coffee, cakes of course, plenty of vegan, gluten free options too.If you'd like to book a space for selling contact Jay Kendall at knitwit95@gmail.com
Tables are just £10 for the day.

An Introduction to Smallholding
2022-04-23 12:00 - 16:00
Perhaps you're about to take over a smallholding? Or are you relatively new to keeping land and animals? If so, perhaps you feel you'd like to talk the issues through with others in the same boat, and with someone who's been doing it for a while? If that sounds like you, then our "Introduction to smallholding" course is just the thing for you.
Come and spend the afternoon finding out what smallholding entails from a practical perspective, as you visit this 7 acre plot. Paul Lovatt Smith has been working on the land for over 15 years, and has a wealth of knowledge that he's happy to share, including

How to get started
What's involved with the paperwork and legal aspects, as well as the finances
A basic overview of keeping poultry, sheep, cattle and pigs
Growing veg
Making hay and growing small-scale cereals

Please note: this course will be held outdoors (and partly in a barn) - so please do wear suitable outdoors clothing, bearing in mind that in April it may well be cold and damp (or warm and sunny, boiling and dry, windy and snowing... you get the picture).
Can't make this date? Event sold out? Please email our training organiser so that you will be on the list when we run the workshop again.

Kitchen Gardening
2022-04-23 14:00 - 16:30
Make this the best year yet in your veg garden!
Learn from a gardener with decades of experience in growing vegetables. This course will be led by the SFTG's Jenny Huggett, who many of you will know from our regular Friday evening meetings, open farm days and annual picnics as well as Marcus Wareing's Tales From a Kitchen Garden.
Although she wouldn’t tell you so herself, the chances are that if Jenny doesn’t know the answer to a question, then it probably doesn’t have an answer.
In this course, you’ll learn about such topics as:

What to plant for year-round fresh or stored vegetables, and when to plant it
Which vegetable varieties to grow, including what works well in this area (and what doesn’t!)
Caring for your vegetable plants
Feeding the soil so as to get the most from it
The benefits of no-dig gardening
How best to avoid pests without chemicals
Companion planting – which plants will help each other, and which will hinder?
Seed saving

So go on - book now! We are sure you won't have bean on a better course!
Can't make this date? Event sold out? Please email our training organiser so that you will be on the list when we run the workshop again.
Special offer: 2 free vegetable plants for every attendee!

Everything Elderflower Workshop
2022-05-15 09:30 - 16:30
Elderflower Champagne and Cordial Making Workshop with Steve Gibson
If you have a lot of Elderflowers, or even just a few, you can turn them into something delicious. Under the expert guidance Steve Gibson, known locally as "Steve The Mead" you will learn the skills needed to make your own Elderflower Champagne, make your own Elderflower Cordial, and sample Steve's home brewed Elderflower creations whilst you learn all about this useful tree. We are also going to try Elderflower cake, and some elderflower gin, just because we can!
You will make enough to take home, as well as a kit to let you do it at home yourself.
Steve has been brewing country wines, meads and cider since 2005 and continued with the craft ever since. The hobby has grown, and Steve now keeps his own bees to harvest honey for Mead (Honey Wine) and gives talks and demonstrations and workshops to local groups and enthusiasts.
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Please choose your session time when you purchase your tickets, if a session is not showing, then the course has unfortunately sold old. Please arrive 10 mins before the start time. There is car parking on site, but please drive carefully due to free ranging animals. We will be working in a barn, which is neither air conditioned, or heated, so please wear appropriate clothing for the conditions.
We have a maximum of 6 spaces available for each workshop, therefore only members of the SFTG are able to book, this event is not open to non members. This small group size enables plenty of one to one tuition and ensures we all have enough room to socially distance. Steve will make sure we follow the guidelines on the day but please do not attend on the day if you are feeling unwell. Bring a face mask.

CANCELLED: Deer Management & Control
2022-05-20 19:30 - 21:30
CANCELLED
17 MAY 22: WE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN CALLED AWAY ON URGENT FAMILY BUSINESS. THE MEETING WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED TO 2023.
Matt Moss from the High Weald AONB team will tell us about the threat that deer pose to the countryside and to biodiversity. He will the explain the options for controlling deer distribution and population on farmland and woodland.
Friday 20 May at the Goward Hall, Cade Street, Heathfield TN21 9BU. Click here for directions.
Doors open at 7.30 for refreshments and chit-chat; talk starts at 8 pm and finishes at 9 pm or shortly thereafter.
The Half Moon pub opposite the hall is happy to supply ‘take-out’ drinks.
Booking is not essential but it would help us if you do in that we can then contact you in the case of last minute changes or cancellation.
NON-MEMBERS WELCOME AT THIS EVENT

Sheep Health and Stock Tasks
2022-05-22 10:00 - 12:00
Learn how to assess whether your sheep are healthy - for example do they have anaemia?
James will show us how to handle sheep for general stock tasks such as foot care and dagging. We will have 18 ewes and 30 lambs to work with, so plenty of practise.
We will discuss and learn when to give wormers and vitamin drenches as well as boluses.
James will also be vaccinating his lambs with Heptavac P.
We will discuss the symptoms of fly strike and how to protect your animals.
Afterwards you may care to join James and Jenny Cloke in the pub for a drink/lunch. We have not booked a table but if you decide to join us bring some money.

Heathfield Show 2022 - Members Meet Up
2022-05-28 08:00 - 17:15
Come and meet your fellow members and your SFTG committee during the 75th Anniversary of the popular Heathfield Agricultural Show. If you are showing your animals, selling your goods, or just coming along to see what's new in 2022, this is without doubt the place to come if you are interested in smallholding, rural life, or country pursuits in the High Weald area. Please feel free to come and say hello, use your SFTG stand as your central base, and no doubt have some tea and coffee on hand and some chairs to rest your legs. With the event cancelled for the past two years, we are all very excited to see The Heathfield Show back for 2022.
Fancy helping out? - We really appreciate having some some extra help on the day, and try and recruit new members to join the Small Farm Training Group, and who better to say how great we are, than the current members themselves! If you are going to the show and would be happy to come to the stand for an hour or so, we would be really, really grateful! All you need is the ability to smile, hand out a leaflet, and answer any questions prospective members may have, essentially, spread the Small Farm Training Group love.
Happy to lend a hand? Please email Paul Lovatt Smith who is kindly taking responsibility for our SFTG stand at all the agricultural shows this year.

Meet The Member - Denise Taylor - Hope Spring
2022-06-01 19:00 - 21:00
Meet The Member - Evening Event
There is probably nothing that Denise Taylor cannot do. Passionate about self sufficiency, Denise is a newcomer to the world of smallholding, having realised her dream in September 2020, thanks to a legacy left to her by her late father. Her smallholding is named in his honour in fact. Denise has been upgrading a field used as a dumping ground for 30 years into a smallholding - come and see this work in progress!
Denise thrives on growing her own fruit and veg, and is loving raising her own animals for happy, free range meat. She is also the queen of preserves, whether that is dehydrating, making jams or chutney, or a delicious jerky. She is also no stranger to dispatching her own meat birds, or processing game birds, as well as taking on the mammoth task of butchering a whole pig!
If there is ever an apocalypse, you need to have Denise as a friend, she will make sure you don't go hungry.
Denise is also one of "Member Tutors" for 2022, she will be sharing her knowledge on dehydrating foods and also pickles.
*Please note that this event will be held in mainly outside, so please dress appropriately on the day. Standard tea and coffee will be served, if you have any special milk requirements, dietary needs please bring your own and we will happily serve it for you. You are welcome to bring your own snacks too. (there are no food options available on site). You are coming to a very rural smallholding with basic / no facilities.

Meet The Member - Denise Taylor - Hope Spring
2022-06-01 19:00 - 21:00
Meet The Member - Evening Event
There is probably nothing that Denise Taylor cannot do. Passionate about self sufficiency, Denise is a newcomer to the world of smallholding, having realised her dream in September 2020, thanks to a legacy left to her by her late father. Her smallholding is named in his honour in fact. Denise has been upgrading a field used as a dumping ground for 30 years into a smallholding - come and see this work in progress!
Denise thrives on growing her own fruit and veg, and is loving raising her own animals for happy, free range meat. She is also the queen of preserves, whether that is dehydrating, making jams or chutney, or a delicious jerky. She is also no stranger to dispatching her own meat birds, or processing game birds, as well as taking on the mammoth task of butchering a whole pig!
If there is ever an apocalypse, you need to have Denise as a friend, she will make sure you don't go hungry.
Denise is also one of "Member Tutors" for 2022, she will be sharing her knowledge on dehydrating foods and also pickles.
*Please note that this event will be held in mainly outside, so please dress appropriately on the day. Standard tea and coffee will be served, if you have any special milk requirements, dietary needs please bring your own and we will happily serve it for you. You are welcome to bring your own snacks too. (there are no food options available on site). You are coming to a very rural smallholding with basic / no facilities.
Can't make this date? Event sold out? Please email our training organiser so that you will be on the list when we run the workshop again.

South of England Show 2022 - Members Meet Up & Volunteer
2022-06-10 08:00 - 2022-06-12 17:15
Can we beat the 2021 South of England show? ......... Come and meet your fellow members and your SFTG committee during the 3 day South of England Show 2022. If you are showing your animals, selling your goods, or just coming along to see what's new in 2022, this is without doubt the place to come if you are interested in smallholding, rural life, or country pursuits in the South East of England with over 150 acres dedicated to all things rural.
We would love you to come and say hello, use the SFTG stand as your central base, and no doubt we will have some tea and coffee on hand and some chairs to rest your legs. We had a very successful 2021 at the South of England Show, recruiting a record breaking 19 new members over the 3 days period. Paul and his team of volunteers promoted the group tirelessly, and we all had a thoroughly fabulous event.
Fancy helping out? - We really appreciate having some some extra help on any of the event days, where we not just create a base for members to meet and mingle, but we also try and recruit new members to join the Small Farm Training Group. Who better to say how great we are, than the current members themselves! If you are going to the show and would be happy to come to the stand for an hour or so, we would be really, really grateful! All you need is the ability to smile, hand out a leaflet, and answer any questions prospective members may have, essentially, spread the Small Farm Training Group love.
Happy to lend a hand? Please email Paul Lovatt Smith who is kindly taking responsibility for our SFTG stand at all the agricultural shows this year.

South of England Show 2022
2022-06-10 09:00 - 2022-06-12 18:00
This is the largest and most popular agricultural show in the south-east of England. There is lots to see for everyone - some come to find out more about agriculture, many just come for the shopping experience! It's a fun day out with lots of animals in the show ring and many events taking place. The SFTG has a stand to promote smallholding and to inform the public about our group. We usually get some new members join at the event.
We will need volunteers to help with this event. You don't have to be an expert in smallholding but you should like talking to people and telling them what a wonderful group we are! It's easy because we have lots of pictures of events that we have run and information sheets for people who need more details about a topic. There are usually 2 or 3 people on the stand at anyone time so usually if you don't know the answer to a question someone else does!
Interested? Please email Paul Lovatt Smith for more information.

Free Talk - Peter Hall from the Rural Crime Team
2022-06-17 19:30 - 21:30
Rural crime is an issue for large areas of the country but it tends to go unreported. It covers agricultural, environmental, heritage and wildlife crime as well as dog theft. It can impact on insurance premiums and food prices and damage local communities. Find out what rural crime is and what can be done to prevent issues such as dog attacks, livestock rustling, machinery theft and vandalism. Our speaker is Peter Hall is from the newly reinforced Rural Crime Team of Sussex Police which is based in Heathfield and in Midhurst.
If there is something in particular that you would like covered please email meetings@sftg.org.uk so that we can inform our speaker.
Friday 17th June at the Goward Hall, Cade Street, Heathfield TN21 9BU. Click here for directions.
Doors open at 7.30 for refreshments and chit-chat; talk starts at 8 pm and finishes at 9 pm or shortly thereafter.
The Half Moon pub opposite the hall is happy to supply ‘take-out’ drinks.
This is event is FREE and NON-MEMBERS WELCOME. Booking is not essential but it is helpful if you book your place so that we can ensure there are enough refreshments, and that we can get in touch should the event be cancelled due to speaker illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Sheep Shearing for Beginners
2022-06-18 13:00 - 16:00
This is a hands on practical workshop for people who would like to learn how to shear sheep. There will be a maximum of 4 students on this workshop, so Mark can teach both hand shearing as well as electrical shearing if this is what attendees would like. He will also teach you how to roll fleeces and how to dag animals. As there as so few people on this workshop there will be ample time for each person to have a go.
This course is for those who are competent at handling sheep. You must have a good level of fitness and stamina due to the physical nature of the course.

Mark is not quite sure where his sheep will be on 18th June and if there is going to be rain we will need to be under cover, so more details later, but it will be near Danehill.

Midsummer Members BBQ
2022-06-26 12:00 - 15:00
This years Mid-Summer BBQ is being graciously hosted by Pauline & Colin Burnett-Dick on their stunning farm in Hartfield, right on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. This is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with fellow members, meet new ones, and generally have a good old catch up whilst enjoying the stunning grounds of their lovely home. As usual we will be eating gorgeous food, sourced locally, and often supplied by one or two of our members, so you know the food will be good!

As well as a lovely meet up, there will be a tour of the grounds, you will get to meet the famous Rheas, view the vegetable polytunnel, see the growing garden, as well as watch the chickens & ducks enjoying the water. For those that are feeling brave, the outdoor swimming pool will be open, so bring our swimwear and a towel, and jump straight in!

The BBQ is a subsidised members (and their families) event, ticket are £5 per person. (You are welcome to bring a non member as a paying guest, but they do need to come with a member).

Soft drinks will be provided but please bring your own wine, beer etc as required.
*Please use the Comment box when booking to tell us about any vegetarian or other dietary requirements

"Learn How To Milk Goats" Workshop
2022-06-30 18:00 - 20:00, 2022-08-06 18:00 - 20:00
Join Rowena & Amos Topping as they teach their goat milking skills, the 9 strong Topping family have been enjoying keeping dairy goats for over a year on their one acre smallholding in Hailsham. They have two adult dairy goats of different breeds – one is a British Saanen (Willow), and the other is a British Toggenburg (Chestnut). Chestnut had two kids back in March – one male and one female.
They milk twice daily, Dan and the oldest 4 children taking turns on milking duty. The milk is a popular family choice!
Once the kids are weaned the family hope to soon develop a cheese recipe and also become self sufficient in yoghurt.
On this beginners milking goat workshop, you will start with a tour of the goat barn and pasture, followed by a talk on the basics of keeping dairy goats. This includes information about housing, nutrition, health and the actual milking. There will be a demonstration of hand-milking with top tips on the correct set up to ensure calm goat on the milking stand, and ingenious DIY design of a milking stand. You will then have the chance to try milking one of the goats yourself, it's harder than it looks to get it right! The workshop also covers how to correctly sterilise dairy equipment, filter the milk to ensure optimum taste and cool the milk efficiently.
The session will start at 6:00pm and finish around 8:00pm - this is to tie in with the evening milking time of the goats.
Tea, coffee and cake are included.
This workshop is running on two dates, Thursday 30th June and Saturday 6th August, if when you try to book both dates are full, please "buy" an interest ticket (FREE) and we will try and put this course on again in July or August.

Meet the members Simon and Rachael Bishop
2022-07-03 15:00 - 17:00
Simon and Rachael have lived on their 28 acre smallholding near Heathfield for 12 years and joined the SGTG in 2011. They run a business in Tunbridge Wells and the farm is run in their “spare” time. The majority of the ground is permanent pasture that is grazed by their sheep. Other livestock that they keep are Pigs (although currently they are all in the freezer) Geese, Chickens for eggs and meat, bantams, turkeys and a Shetland pony called Bovril. They are keen beekeepers with 5-6 hives currently. 5 years ago they bought an adjoining Victorian walled garden that was completely rundown and overgrown with brambles and trees 6-8 feet high. This is now a productive flower and vegetable garden. Simon and Rachael are about 90% self-sufficient on meat and vegetables.

FREE TALK: Wildlife and Farming - The Next Decade
2022-07-15 19:30 - 21:30
(This meeting was postponed from February)Our speaker, Martin Hole, farms at Montague on the wetlands of the Pevensey Levels in East Sussex. Part family-owned and part rented, the 300ha (740acres) organic enterprise provides a home to about 150 cattle and nearly 2,000 head of sheep, with a small diversification into residential property and a fledgling green tourism business.
Montague is also home to 216 species of birds and 120 of flies as well as thousands of wild flowers. A long-standing relationship with Natural England has yielded a partially enwilded landscape with many developing habitats.
A former RSPB UK Lapwing Champion, Martin remains fascinated by the provision of wilderness whilst trying to keep the farm intact for his three daughters, this is a fascinating talk detailing how he does and it's throughly enjoyable.

Friday 18th February at the Goward Hall, Cade Street, Heathfield TN21 9BU. Click here for directions.
Doors open at 7.30 for refreshments and chit-chat; talk starts at 8 pm and finishes at 9 pm or shortly thereafter.
The Half Moon pub opposite the hall is happy to supply ‘take-out’ drinks.
This is event is FREE and NON-MEMBERS WELCOME. Booking is not essential but it is helpful if you book your place so that we can ensure there are enough refreshments, and that we can get in touch should the event be cancelled due to speaker illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Strawberry Tea - cancelled as the fox has taken all the strawberries!
2022-07-16 15:00 - 17:00
Last year we visited Tess and Simon Gray and it was so enjoyable that they have invited us again. We started the afternoon eating homegrown strawberries along with strawberry jam and scones (which are Simon's speciality!) It was such fun sitting outside scoffing scones and catching up with everyone after a miserable Covid winter.
Tess and Simon used to grow strawberries for sale at the farm gate and Pick Your Own. Now they just grow them for family and friends - and of course we are friends! They will tell you how to get started if you want to grow them for profit, or if it is just for yourself which varieties to grow and how to care for your plants and protect them from any vermin that also like strawberries!
As well as a productive strawberry plot Tess and Simon also grow lots of vegetables, fruit and flowers. Tess is a keen flower arranger so come and see which plants make for pretty arrangements, she usually has beautiful sweet peas, roses and dahlias. There is always a bit of a competition between the tomatoes and vegetables grown in Simon's greenhouse and those that Tess grows in the new greenhouse - so come and see who is winning this year.
After walking round the garden we will probably walk through part of the Gray's 90 acre farm and admire their ponds, hedges and pasture. We may also see sheep as their land is let to a local shepherd.
This Event is Cancelled Because a Fox has Stolen all the Strawberries and there are None Left for SFTG!

Meet the Member Becky & Pete Jenner
2022-07-20 18:30 - 20:30
Becky and Pete moved from Brighton to Misty Acres at Lower Horsebridge just over a year ago. Having found the Small Farm Training Group, both of them have been enjoying some of our workshops and events and are rapidly becoming part of their new countryside community. Becky is showing a real love and passion for flower growing, and Pete is loving embracing everything else!

They are throwing open their garden for us to have a little get together over an evening cuppa, show us the progress they have made so far, and what plans they have for the future. Maybe some of us can even offer some help and advice?

This is what Becky has to say:
"We have about half an acre of garden which was extremely overgrown and neglected for some time. Becky's grand idea was to start a small flower farming business. Pete's grand idea was to have chickens, bees and grow veg. Tom and Barbara we are not though - with lots of enthusiasm, hard work and experiential learning we do now have some flowers and veg to show for our efforts - hurrah! Come and see what we have been up to but don't come expecting to get any tips and advice! Unless you want to know how not to do it! :)"

Willow Workshop - Making Dragonflies
2022-07-23 14:00 - 17:30
In this workshops you will learn basic willow weaving skills and make a dragonfly. This workshop is suitable for children over 12 but they need to be accompanied by an adult.
Richard Vidal, is going to be our tutor. He has recently retired from the civil service to spend more time with his passion for all things ‘willow’. He has grown his own willow for 18 years and produces beautiful sculptures, living willow structures, ornaments and baskets.
Before his retirement Richard sold willow at Blackheath Farmers Market and started to teach willow weaving to community groups so understands the different levels of teaching required dependent on previous experience of working with willow.
Richard will start the day (indoors if weather inclement) with an introduction to the growing of willow. You will then create your own dragonfly in stages after relevant demonstrations. You may also have time to make a star or a heart.
For this workshop please bring secateurs (though spares are available) and dress appropriately.
Tea and coffee will be provided but bring a snack if you think you will be hungry!
Please leave your dog at home as it might slow you down in completing your creations, but if you have no dog sitter then you can bring your pet if it is well behaved and quiet.
Richard’s mobile is 07597 939668 and his email is richardhvidal@yahoo.co.uk. He is happy to discuss and explain what to expect at the workshop in more detail and to consider making adjustments for any disabilities or injuries.
Can't make this date? Event sold out? Please email our training organiser so that you will be on the list when we run the workshop again.

Hay Making Festival -draft - dates either 23/24th July or 30/31 July 2022
2022-07-30 00:00 - 2022-07-31 23:59
The plan is : Saturday - beginners teaching day for setting up and using scythes - so scythes and blades must be available for purchase
Sunday: Hay making. we need to start early (before the dew evaporates) so there is a possibility of camping overnight.
Costs and tutors being sorted by Marie. She has promised to come back mid-Feb

Hay Making Festival - Saturday - Learn How to Scythe
2022-07-30 09:00 - 17:00
The SFTG is organising a hay making weekend (30/31st July) using traditional techniques. A scything workshop for beginners will be taught on the Saturday and then on the Sunday beginners and anyone else who would like to come and make hay will start scything (the more the merrier!). Austrian scythes are great for cutting grass but they are also incredibly good for tidying up areas of nettles, thistles, docks etc so even if you don’t have a hay meadow it’s a great technique for all smallholders to learn. There has also recently been a resurgence in the use of the English scythe. Marie-Angel Chevrier has kindly offered to host the event on her farm at Horsham. We would like to make this quite a large event – we plan to invite Frank Wright to teach how to scythe and you will be able to purchase a scythe on the day if you do not already own one, but if there is enough demand, we could also ask more teachers to come and assist. On the Sunday Marie-Angel will talk about sustainability and diversity, and we will learn how to use a small hand baler and how to build a hay rick. Marie-Angel has said we can camp overnight, if you would like to do so please talk to her ( 07875 628554). We will be offering £5 discounts and to couples but as our website struggles with this - it will be a cash refund on the day.
There is a separate website booking page for Sunday.
This is the programme for Saturday 30th July. Learning to Scythe & pasture management principles with the Scythe
9 am Introduction to the scythe and it’s handling, Austrian vs English, Assembly, Honing, Handling technique, Peening, Maintenance.
1 pm Lunch (SFTG will provide a ploughman's lunch and cold drinks)
2 pm Pasture management with the scythe talk by Marie-Angel Chevrier
3 to 5 pm Practice
If you are a member and want to borrow or buy a scythe please book the appropriate ticket and you will be contacted. Marie-Angel can advise on what you need. Scythes seem expensive (approximately £140-£180) but are incredibly useful for tidying up areas such as nettles, dock, thistles and other weeds. We will be buying them from Simon Fairlie. He has promised to give us a discount and we will pass some of this on to you. Look at his website http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html We need to put our order in by the beginning of July so you need to book your place early if you want to borrow or buy a scythe.

Hay Making Festival - Sunday - Making Hay While the Sun Shines
2022-07-31 07:00 - 16:00
The SFTG is organising a hay making weekend (30/31st July) using traditional techniques. A scything workshop for beginners will be taught on the Saturday and then on the Sunday beginners and anyone else who would like to come and make hay will start scything (the more the merrier!). Austrian scythes are great for cutting grass but they are also incredibly good for tidying up areas of nettles, thistles, docks etc so even if you don’t have a hay meadow it’s a great technique for all smallholders to learn. There has also recently been a resurgence in the use of the English scythe. Marie-Angel Chevrier has kindly offered to host the event on her farm at Horsham. We would like to make this quite a large event – we plan to invite Frank Wright to teach how to scythe and you will be able to purchase a scythe on the day if you do not already own one, but if there is enough demand, we could also ask more teachers to come and assist. On the Sunday Marie-Angel will talk about sustainability and diversity, and we will learn how to use a small hand baler and how to build a hay rick. Marie-Angel has said we can camp overnight, if you would like to do so please talk to her ( 07875 628554). We will be offering a discounts of £5 to couples but as our website struggles with this - it will be a cash refund on the day.
There is a separate website booking page for Saturday.
Day 2 Sunday 31st July
Learning to make hay while the sun shines!
7 am Hay mowing and demonstration of the English scythe to make hay by Terry Standen (if you can't make it this early, come as early as you can as hay making is best when the grass is still dewy)
10 am Tea break (cold drinks will be provided)
10 15 am Raking the hay
11 am Lunch (SFTG will provide cold drinks and a ploughman's lunch)
12 pm Talk and demonstration on hay making by hand by Marie-Angel Chevrier
3 to 4pm Demonstration and practice of raking, protecting from rain, A frame usage for drying, Rick building principles and of our hand hay baler by Frank Wright who built it.
If you are a member and want to borrow or buy a scythe please book the appropriate ticket and you will be contacted. Marie-Angel can advise on what you need. Scythes seem expensive (approximately £140-£180) but are incredibly useful for tidying up areas such as nettles, dock, thistles and other weeds. We will be buying them from Simon Fairlie. He has promised to give us a discount and we will pass some of this on to you. Look at his website http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/index.html We need to put our order in by the beginning of July so you need to book your place early if you want to borrow or buy a scythe.

Beginners Pressure & Water Bath Canning Workshop
2022-07-31 10:00 - 12:00
Join fellow member and knowledgeable pressure Canner Karen, in a kitchen setting and learn the basics of both water bath canning, and the process of "Pressure Canning" - (which is not to be confused with pressure cooking that we have here in the UK).
This is an ideal workshop for those who want to learn how to preserve their produce without the need to refrigerate, or freeze. The techniques you learn will give you shelf stable foods for a minimum of one year, without the need to use expensive electricity. Pressure canning is little used in the UK, but this process does enable you to preserve and store your precious produce for a minimum of one year in a pantry or cupboard environment. We will be using the "All American" pressure canner, although this course will also cover the Presto Pressure Canner.
During the workshop you will learn when to use the water bath canner, when to use a pressure canner, the basics of water bath, and pressure canning, how to raw pack, and how to hot pack. You will look at the types of jars and lids to use when water bath, and pressure canning, as well as the best foods to pressure can. You will learn how to can a variety of foods including fresh vegetable and raw meat, as well as meals in jars. (cans) This workshop focuses on safely canning, as well as top tips for the Do's and Don'ts of Canning.
This workshop forms part of our Food Security & Food Independence series, designed to help you become more self sufficient with your food options.
You will be given the chance to sample pressure canned, shelf stable foods during the workshop if you wish to.
* This workshop is set in a family kitchen environment where cats and dogs have been / are present - please inform the host of any allergies.
Can't make this date? Event sold out? Please email our training organiser so that you will be on the list when we run the workshop again.

Thursdays on the Farm - Small Small Farmers
2022-08-04 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-08-11 17:30 - 19:00
All small farmers aged 5-15 welcome at this Small, Small Farmers Summer Holiday event. Have a walk around Debbie's farm, a glorious 20 acre working smallholding at Pick Hill.
Meet the sheep, pigs, turkeys, and chickens, see how to care for them, and give them their evening dinner. See the polytunnel and vegetable garden where you can pick something that is ripe that week.
Each week there will be an additional activity to enjoy, including a scavenger hunt, natural sculpture making, and Cyanotype printing. This event is aimed at ages 5-15 who will all need a ticket. Under 5's are welcome to attend with adult supervision, and the
Parents are welcome to stay on site, just bring a picnic rug and set yourself up in the field and relax - have a chat and a catch up with other members, or join the small farmers and have fun on the farm. You are welcome to bring a picnic supper to enjoy on the farm.
Please be aware that this is a working farm, so please use common sense around hazards and animals. Debbie is fully DBS checked.

Beginners Guide - Learn How To Keep Hens & Avoid Red Mite
2022-08-07 10:30 - 12:30
Have you ever thought about having chickens?
Edwina and Richard Moore have been keeping hens for 30 years and give their hens the deluxe treatment. In this mini workshop you will learn what has worked for them and how they to keep their birds in tip top condition.

The workshop will cover: housing - the ideal parameters for poultry and how to keep predators out. Learn what food they need and general routines. How to handle a hen and hen behaviour. How to keep them healthy. Richard is an expert at red mite prevention and will tell you how to keep these pests away and how to reduce infestations to an insignificant number of mites. You will learn how many eggs to expect and how to increase production.

You will have a chance to view their hen set-up and to ask as many questions as you want over a cuppa and a slice of cake.
Wear outdoor clothes and clean boots. No dogs please.

Meet The Member - Rosie
2022-08-10 14:30 - 16:30
Come have a cuppa and a slice of cake in Rosie's wild flower garden, whilst meeting her gaggle of lovely geese. An SFTG member and local country girl, Rosie bought the house and garden after seeing it advertised on our private members forum, and moved to her new home in June 2021 - (who needs estate agents), and has enjoyed spending the last year getting her animals settled in their new home.
Come and meet the animals, including Donkeys, Sheep, Geese and Turkeys, all lovingly cared for in a largely free range huge garden with nature inspired pond, and relax whilst enjoying the view over the Sussex countryside and catching up with fellow members.
