Farming.
Just that word might make many shudder. I mean, farming is hard graft and mud, animal poo and early mornings, outdoors in all weathers and not a lot of financial gain. To me, however, 'farming' is a word that stirs inspiration and conjures feelings of comfort, joy, intrigue and a sense of well being.
It's fair to say that though I'm not born and bred farming, it's in my blood. This is my granddad's farm...
There's 40 acres of Suffolk agricultural land there and, to me, it's beautiful whether there are blue skies and a blazing sun, fog creeping across the ground on an early morning or the heavens' have opened to a torrential downpour. You might jump to the conclusion that farming, therefore, is a way of life. It's not. I spent holidays here, chasing chickens through the fields only to run screaming back to the house as the geese turned on me like raging, squawking monsters. But I had no inclination to farm. As soon as I turned 18, I packed my bags and headed to the Big Smoke of London and university for self-discovery, all night drinking, clubbing, late nights, all nights...you can probably imagine. There was NO thought of farming on my mind.
That mindset only last a couple of years though; life in a student tower block had me craving greenery and gardens and wildlife. Sadly, by the time I realised what I truly wanted, my granddad had passed away and all the farm buildings (aside from the barn pictured above) had been sold.
Why Farming?
There are numerous reasons why my life, my loves and my aspirations have led me back in the direction of my roots.
- Reduced Footprint
- Humans, as a species, are very likely to be Earth's destroyer. But if I can lessen my overall carbon footprint, I can contribute a little towards reducing both my own, and my family's impact. It's not only big things like living off the land either - little or no commuting reduces fumes, food from the garden or pasture means no packaging.
- Conservation
- I'm animal mad and have a keen eye on conservation. I LOVE all those David Attenborough shows of creatures around the world but we have some pretty beautiful specimens back in Britain too. Protecting, preserving and conserving all these, from bugs to bats and frogs to hogs is important to me.
(just one of the pollen beetles attracted by our wildflower meadow)
- I'm animal mad and have a keen eye on conservation. I LOVE all those David Attenborough shows of creatures around the world but we have some pretty beautiful specimens back in Britain too. Protecting, preserving and conserving all these, from bugs to bats and frogs to hogs is important to me.
- Family
- Family is important to me; both my heritage and continuing my grandfather's work, but making memories and providing the best life possible for my family too.
- Community
- One thing I picked up in London is the lack of community. Even if you try to establish one, it's often met with hard stares and unwelcome gestures. I want to live in a place where bartering food or services is normal, where there's help when needed - both offered and taken, and where your local village, suburb, community becomes the extended family.
The Journey Towards Farming
It's easy to imagine, with hindsight, that had my granddad still been alive, I'd have finished my degree, headed to the farm and flung myself into that way of life. BUT...I'm glad that didn't happen - I wouldn't be the person I am without all these past years experiences, and I wouldn't have the family I have either.
So, what now?
Now, I'm living in a mid-terraced 3 bedroom house in a very urban area. BUT - the farming has started. Even with only a 45sqm garden I keep chicken and quail. I sell eating eggs, hatching eggs and birds. I eat them all too. I also grow vegetables and sell excess to my local neighbours. It's a good learning experience as I set out in this video:
Over the next two years (yes, we're stuck logistically because of my husband's current visa restrictions), I plan to continue learning, building and experiencing life on an urban homestead whilst conducting conservation work at the farm as well as future planning - planting trees, for example.
Then, in two years time, we will apply for planning permission to build a farmhouse, sell our current home and move to start a whole new challenge!