from people from all over the world who travel to the UK to do something worthwhile. “It’s a great way for young people to travel,” says Martyn. “It’s really important to us and it works. Especially in summer, because organic farming is a lot more labour intensive then and there are lots of repetitive jobs that are good fun if lots of people are doing them!” Spring is on the horizon and things
“People can see how we do the growing and how we work with the natural systems. It’s a big message that we want to get across,”
into the boxes to deliver!” he laughs. The extensive range includes seeded sourdough, rye, olive focaccia (in summer) and even gingerbread cake. As a great believer in having
his customers understand the ecology and growing behind what they receive in their vegetable boxes each week, Martyn is keen for them to visit the farm and encourages them to call ahead but to pop by anytime and take a walk around. The farm also holds various open days and ‘farm walks’ throughout the year, where the public can get up close and personal to the crops and learn about how Martyn and his growing team work. “We have three or four farm walks and then a big open day in August or September,” says Martyn. “The farm walks are just a chance to walk around the crops and talk about growing, soil and ecology. People can see how we do the growing and how we work with the natural systems. It’s a big message that we want to get across,” he continues. Their open day is more of a celebration filled with food and entertainment – an event that
is held annually in association with Exeter Forest School. Another way that Martyn
encourages people to get involved in the running of the farm itself is by taking part in Shillingford’s volunteer days or in the WWOOFing scheme. Volunteer days are held at Barton Farm every Tuesday and offer the opportunity for willing helpers to go along and get involved with whatever work is being done on the farm at that time. Popular with those wanting to grow their own vegetables, Martyn is keen to offer advice and expert knowledge in exchange for a few hours of hard graft. Alternatively, Barton Farm
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is part of the WWOOFing scheme where, in return for accommodation and food, participants get involved on the farm, fitting in to the lifestyle of the farmers and working for up to 25 hours per week. Individuals can stay on the farm as part of the scheme from three weeks to anything up to six months. Martyn’s farm has a great uptake of willing participants through the programme and Shillingford Organics benefits
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are busy at the farm, but the weather hasn’t put too much of a dampener on proceedings according to Martyn: ”It’s very wet so we can’t do any field work at all but we have got lots of crops to harvest. As it’s been quite mild, all the spring crops are quite advanced so we’ve got lots of purple sprouting brocolli and cauliflower as well as all the kale and cabbages.” With the wet past few weeks we’ve had, it’s a wonder Barton Farm
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hasn’t been washed away, but Martyn’s still hopeful for his sowing. “We’re waiting for the land to dry up so that we can sow more broad beans and early peas. Hopefully, it’ll stay dry for a week so we’re able to do that!” We’re keeping our fingers crossed for you, Martyn!
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