The farmstead

A small collection of animals will be kept as an illustration of organic farming and good animal husbandry. Children will be able to get close to the animals and be involved in the feeding of some, at allocated times. There will be examples of traditional local breeds of cattle, sheep and chickens together with other interesting breeds of pigs and other farmed animals.

Demonstration plots of a range of conventional crops like wheat, barley and potatoes will be grown to show visitors various stages of development and help with identification and understanding of local farming. Information boards will explain the uses of typical crops, charting the path of farm produce to consumer.

In conjunction with DEFRA/CSL, it is proposed that experimental crops like borage, white mustard, poppies and hemp will also be grown to explore the potential for alternative produce and will demonstrate how the colours of the countryside will continue to change.

This area will also be used as a forum for debate on global agriculture, for example, looking at the promotion of new industries to replace sugar beet production in the UK, thereby encouraging trade, rather than aid.