What We Do · Farm Life

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Jamie’s Farm is a traditional mixed working farm producing high quality produce that is marketed locally. We do not create tasks for the young people to do. The farm has been carefully set up so that visitors can participate in its seasonal, day to day running. All of the farming activities which the young people take part in on Jamie’s Farm are real jobs with a real result.

Activities

Feeding and caring for livestock

On Jamie’s Farm we rear cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and ducks. We also have horses, dogs and cats for the young people to interact with. Close interaction with animals is one of the most important elements of our provision. Regular contact with animals allows young people to have encounters which are instantly successful and not emotionally threatening. In addition, young people experience a range of benefits, from caring and nurturing to physical activity.

Animal Welfare

On Jamie’s Farm we model and promote high standards of animal welfare. The young people who visit help to ensure all animals on the farm are cared for to the highest standards. This develops their appreciation for the importance of food provenance.

Cleaning and maintaining the farm and its surroundings

This is a healthy physical activity for the young people, providing a visible result and real benefit to the farm. Activities include hedging, clearing brambles and weeds, fencing and keeping the farmyard clean and tidy.

Visiting a large scale sheep farm

Young people visit a large scale farm run by a family of seven. During this day, students have extended interaction with animals and are invited to join the family for a traditional farmhouse lunch. This experience also provides the opportunity for young people to develop relationships with adults they trust.

Horticultural activities

Working on the vegetable patch provides the opportunity to tend to and to harvest seasonal fruit and vegetables. The food that is produced is then used to provide healthy meals for the young people. Due to the high staff to student ratio much of the gardening is done one-on-one with an adult. This provides an excellent opportunity for extended dialogue and relationship building.