Church FarmYour Monthly Newsletter

Friday 27th April 2012

A Note from the Grower

Rain. The words “the garden needs it” or, “it’ll help the plants grow” are wearing a bit thin now aren’t they? And amidst these conditions, the terms “drought” and “hosepipe ban” do seem absurd.

Actually, sunshine-and-showers, the prevailing pattern we’ve seen throughout April, is possibly my favourite kind of weather. The continuous change, and the frequent appearance of rainbows, results in a dynamic, exciting drama, drenched in water one moment, bathed in sunshine the next, while you can observe torrents falling from the sky over the hill there just a mile or two away. Up to a point, this produces perfect conditions for growing plants, but now the soggy, wet soil is not so favourable.

At Church Farm, we have an excellent propagation tunnel with a double wall of polythene and an electrically warmed “hotbed” for raising seedlings quickly, but even there space is limited. Hence I was planning to plant straight into the field certain seeds which respond well to being sown directly to the place where they will crop, such as beans, peas, sweetcorn and squashes. The cold, wet soil and the continuing risk of frost have put this plan on hold, however. Seeds sown into this could fail and just rot away, so we may have to raise these plants in pots at the propagation tunnel after all, or delay sowing until warmer conditions arrive in May. Which they will of course. Won’t they?

Rik

Image Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/gallery/newsid_7840000/7840351.stm

We’ve still got some tickets for the first Campfire Weekend of 2012 on Saturday 5th May. If you want to join us for a great weekend outdoors (don’t worry, the forecast looks better than this week has been!) then give us a call on 01438 861 447 or email info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Contribution: Adults £10, Under 16s £8, Under 2s £2. Free for musicians and farm members. If you can’t make this one, there are more campfires on Sat 9th June, Sat 21st July, and Sat 25th August.

Campfire Weekends

Easter Egg Colouring ContestThank you so much to everyone who took part in our Easter colouring contest. There were some fantastic entries and it was a real pleasure to look through them all to pick the best. Because there were so many great egg designs, we couldn’t choose just one, so we’ve printed four of our favourites here for everyone to enjoy. Very well done to everyone who coloured in an egg for Easter!

Alexander, 7 Callum, 3

Katie, 6 Holly, 6

Serves 2

Ingredients1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder2 gammon steaksolive oil1 red chilli , finely chopped1 orange , zested and juiced2 tbsp clear honey1 tsp soy sauce

Method1. Sprinkle the five-spice powder over the gammon steaks. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large frying pan and cook over a high heat for 2 minutes until the edges are tinged brown.2. Add the chilli, orange zest and juice, honey and soy sauce and simmer rapidly until the sauce is sticky and the gammon is glazed and golden with almost burnt edges.3. Serve immediately with steamed greens and rice, and with any pan juices poured over.

Sticky Gammon Steaks

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4002/sticky-gammon-steaks

Fantastic Lamb Feeding PhotosTake a look at these great photos of our lambs being bottle-fed by some of our visitors recently. We love getting photos in from people who’ve come to the farm, so thank you to the kind parents who sent these in. If you’ve got any pictures of your trip to the farm, why not find us on Facebook and post them to our wall for everyone to enjoy. Or you can email them to us atinfo@churchfarmardeley.co.uk and let us know if it’s ok for us to share them in our newsletter to show everyone how much fun it is at Church Farm.

The format of the monthly Quiz Night at the Jolly Waggoner has changed. It will now consist of 6 rounds, including a picture round. You’ve just missed the April quiz, but the next one is on 23rd May. Put it in your diaries and pop along at 8.

Also, the new Spring menu is now being served. There are some delicious light, seasonal options now available, including new salads, braised salmon, and Church Farm lamb chops. Book a table to try it on 01438 861 350.

Changes at the Jolly Waggoner

Vintage Tractor VisitWatch out for an amazing site this Sunday (29th April), when the Ashwell & District Vintage Tractor Club are calling into Church Farm for their lunch break. We’re expecting about 20-30 of them to call in for a pit stop on their Rally, which is raising money for Herts Air Ambulance. There promises to be some beautiful machines, so do stop by for the perfect treat for tractor-mad kids and big-kids alike.

Many thanks to Caroline, a member of our Farm Box scheme, who has sent us a lovely-looking recipe for courgette cake. It may sounds strange, but she promises it tastes lovely. Caroline’s even been kind enough to translate the quantities from US measures, which is why they look a bit odd, but apparently they work a treat.

Ingredients457g sugar235ml oil3 eggs2 tsp vanilla essence457g courgette, unpeeled and grated685g flour1 tsp salt1 tsp baking powder1 tsp baking soda1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained115g raisins (optional)115g chopped nuts (optional)

Have you got a recipe to share? We’d love to include it in the newsletter. Please send it to info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Courgette Cake

MethodCream sugar, oil and eggs. Add vanilla and courgette. Blend dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Stir in pineapple, nuts and raisins. Pour into well greased bread tins. Bake for 1 hr at 150oC. When cake is cool, remove from tin and wrap in foil overnight for better flavour and moisture.

We still have orphaned lambs that need feeding every day. If you’d like to help us with this, please book onto one of the feeding slots (6pm on weekdays and 11am, 3pm and 6pm on weekends). Either call 01438 861 447 or email info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk to book a place. Bottle-feeding is £4.95 per child, free for supervising adults.

Real Bread Maker WeekThe 7th - 13th May is Real Bread Maker Week. We’d like to thank our real bread maker, Phil the Baker, for all of his ongoing hard work. Phil has been known to start work at 2 in the morning to get us the fresh bread we need. And he makes all of his delicious creations without additives or GM flour.

Church Farm, Ardeley, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7AH, T: 01438 861 447E: info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Next Week’s Farm Members’ Box

MEAT (small box)

Farm VarietySausages, pork roasting joint, diced chicken, minced beef, back bacon

Lean Cuts (NEW FOR 2012)Skinny sausages, skinless chicken fillets, extra lean minced beef, extra lean diced lamb steak

Premium SelectionSausages, lamb chops, back bacon

VEGETABLESExtra Small (6 varieties)Potatoes (red), carrots, onions, butternut squash, leeks, red ramiro peppers

Small (8 varieties)Courgettes, white mushrooms

Medium (10 varieties)Spinach/chard/lettuce, beetroot

Large (12 varieties)Fennel, half green cabbage

Extra Large (15 varieties)Mixed herbs, cucumber, aubergine

FRUIT (extra large box)Apples (braeburn), pears (williams), clementines, rhubarb, mangos, kiwi, grapefruit

Please note that these are standard items and are subject to change. If you have asked not to be supplied with a particular item, a substitute will be provided in your box.

Over the last few weeks, Sarah our student nurse/social worker has been compiling a summary of the benefits of animal assisted therapy. She has found a wide range of research that helps support the theory behind our work at Rural Care.

The work our co-farmers do allows them to gain a sense of responsibility for an animal and develops their sense of routine, for example, by keeping to structured feeding times. As previous research has suggested, routine helps many people with their day to day lives. Working on the farm has an extra element in that it also involves looking after other living things, which promotes an awareness of the importance of routine for others.

This is something we have recognised as a benefit of the work done at Rural Care. Our co-farmers certainly don’t want our animals to go hungry, and they will acknowledge what time feeding needs to be done.

On care farms it is also possible for people to gain an understanding of life-cycle issues such as parenting and death. At Rural Care we put emphasis on the fact that we are on a working farm and the animals don’t stay here forever, this helps our co-farmers learn about the circles of life.

There are many more physical and personal benefits to animal assisted therapy. Keep an eye out for the next column from Rural Care on this interesting topic.

Real Ales: Real Food : Warm Welcome at the

Jolly Waggoner

Book a table today to avoid disappointment! New seasonal

menu now available.

Call 01438 861 350

www.thejollywaggoner.co.uk

Member Volunteer DayDon’t forget, it’s a member volunteer day this Saturday (they’re held on the last Saturday of every month. If you fancy getting outside now that the weather is starting to look a little better, then why not join us for a day in the field. No need to let us know in advance, just arrive at 10.30 for an 11am start. Sam or Laura will meet you outside the cafe.

Animal Assisted Therapy: Part 2

Getting the Best from your BoxSweet Potatoes are an excellent source of simple starches, rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fibre, beta carotene (a vitamin A equivalent nutrient), vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

In North Africa, sweet potatoes are often baked and served with honey as a dessert. In Asia too, sweet potato makes a great pudding cut into small cubes and cooked with yam and coconut milk to make a sweet dish called bubur caca.

Your sweet potato should be stored in a dark and cool place, ideally not a fridge (circulating air is preferable); and used quickly at the sign of any damage. A few ideas for something completely different:Puree: your sweet potato with celeriac for a different and colourful dip, cut both veg into cubes, boil, add oil, lemon, ginger and garlic and spice to taste.Rosti: grate your sweet potato, remove excess liquid and set aside. Cook onion and garlic in a pan and add to the potato along with goats cheese and beaten eggs, then fry into beautiful rostis.Muffins: add one sweet potato to a regular muffin mix and around 100ml of oil instead of using butter for a tasty and moist treat.

ButcheryFrom our on-site butchery there are some exciting new products available which can be ordered online for free same-day delivery or added to your weekly box:

BBQ Rack of Pork Ribs

Chinese Flavoured Duck Legs

Quarter Pound Beef Burgers

Chinese Chicken Drumsticks

Prime Pork Burgers

Lemon Pepper Chicken

Peppered Rump Steaks

Beef Flat Ribs

Gluten Free Sausages

Lincolnshire Sausages

Cumberland Sausages

Skinny Sausages (leaner)

Extra Trimmed Bacon

Little Farmers Mini Sausage (perfect for children)

BakeryPhil the baker has been perfecting some new recipes in the bakery. As well as his wonderful range of breads, pies, sausage rolls and sweet treats, he can now make the following for your weekly Farm Box order:

Walnut Bread - This is scrumptious with Wobbly Bottom goats cheese and Church Farm ham (available in the Farm Store and for your box)

Herby Tomato & Cheese Loaf - This is a tasty speciality bread that makes a great picnic treat

Traditional Tea Cakes - Perfect toasted and buttered, these do just the job on a chilly spring afternoon.

Church Farm, Ardeley, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7AH, T: 01438 861 447E: info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Variety is the Spice of LifeThe beauty of the Church Farm Box Scheme above other schemes is its flexibility. We want to be certain that you’re getting the produce that best suits your needs, so please don’t hesitate to let us know if you want to change anything.

With summer approaching (all be it in fits and starts) and ‘lighter’ meals on the menu, perhaps you want to switch your sausages to burgers for the BBQ, or you want more salads to enjoy outside. Some customers have a different order every week based on a four week rotation. This is very simple to arrange and we’re happy to do it if it helps you to enjoy our produce more. To set up any changes, either call us on 01438 861 447, or email info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk.

New Ideas for your Farm BoxVineyardWe don’t have our own vineyard at Church Farm - as the last couple of weeks have proved, we don’t quite have the climate for it. But our friend Silvio supplies us with a wonderful selection of British organic wines from vineyards with more sun than we’re lucky enough to get. We also offer some local beers, and these can all be added to your weekly order.

Our website has all the details of the drinks we offer (see the online store), or why not pop into the Jolly Waggoner to try a glass first and choose your favourite.