Summer Newsletter
Welcome to our summer newsletter! We will be providing you with the latest updates from the farm and market garden. Claire will be running two workshops on the farm in August, Healthy soil for resilient gardens & allotments and Grow your own food in a changing climate further details below.
Stuart’s Update
Next year will be the 70th anniversary of my parents buying Haye Farm. Over the years the farm’s been transformed from its run-down state to the vibrant, diverse property we see today. I’ve spent time reflecting on this journey and wondering what the next 70 years will have in store.
I’d like there to be an ongoing legacy giving real purpose to what’s gone before and securing the farms future. We’ve always strived to live lightly on the land, work with and alongside nature and produce healthy wholesome food.
We sell all our produce directly off the farm or to local outlets. Connecting and building strong relationships with our local community is of paramount importance. Not only because we want to be selling more of our produce to you but because there’s never been a time when having access to local, sustainable food has been more important.
We will strive to continue being a valuable resource available to the local community. Not just producing healthy local food but allowing access to the land for new entrants, a space for people to reconnect with nature, to gain new skills and importantly to be part of a vibrant community.
I want Haye Farm to be a community farm available for all. To this end I’m exploring options for the farm to be placed into a trust securing it for future generations. There’s much work still to be done but hopefully with all your help the future is looking bright for Haye Farm.
If you would like to connect with Haye Farm we’d love to hear from you. All ideas and suggestions are welcome as we try to engage with our community. Register your support, sign up to our quarterly newsletter, buy our produce or checkout our website for more information.
Shaun’s Update
As stated in my last submission to the Newsletter. I came to Haye Farm in July 2025.Stuart gave me the opportunity to work the same days as him in the day to day running of his farm. Over the year I’ve acquired a wealth of experience, knowledge and new skills, so thank you Stuart.
I’ve also enjoyed meeting the volunteers observing their dedication, skills and knowledge. You are all such lovely people.
However, as much as I’ve enjoyed my four-day contract it has now come to an end allowing me more time to enjoy my recently purchased home in Bewdley where I’ll have more days with my cat Archie, meeting up with friends and looking forward to my family visiting from Jersey.
Fortunately for me it doesn’t end there. Stuart asked me to stay on within a voluntary capacity as his Strategic Farm Advisor, which I was more than happy to accept. So, you’ll still see me around at meetings and events, plus I shall also continue my one day a week within the chicken syndicate, which I particularly get a lot of pleasure from and hopefully come up with new ideas in moving forward. Watch this space!
Thank you all for making me feel so welcome over this past year. I shall look forward to engaging with you when I visit. Also, a special thank you to Ryan who often thought some of my ideas and behaviours with the animals seemed crazy at times, however, both you and Stuart went along with it whilst embracing the humour it brought too.
Market garden update from Liz
Despite the weather, the garden is still providing us with a range of tasty veg to harvest each week, although a few things have been ready early. The no-dig beds and (somewhat temperamental) irrigation have helped plants to survive, but the biggest help this year has been the wonderful volunteers. Every week they have been completing a range of tasks in the garden, led by Claire, while I take some maternity leave. I am very happy to announce the safe arrival of baby Remy who was born in June, just as harvests began – he is lovely and we are both well. Fingers crossed, this time next year he will be munching on beetroot and courgette! I hope those of you who have had veg from the garden this year have enjoyed the range of seasonal, local produce. Thank you for continuing to support the project!
Farm update from Ryan
With our reduced number of cattle and sheep this year we have had an abundance of grass so have not had to feed coppice cuttings from our agroforestry alleys. Instead, we have been experimenting with making tree hay. This involves coppicing/pollarding the trees, letting it dry out then storing in the shed for supplemental winter feed. Whilst it is labour intensive work it should provide the animals with trace minerals/nutrients that they may not typically get in winter.
Wildlife update from Dave
This year saw the creation of a new pond at Haye Farm. It was constructed as part of the ‘Slow the Flow’ flood-relief initiative across Worcestershire and the Wyre Forest, funding being provided by the County Council. A survey was carried out and the new pond was located along the path of an old channel that drained water from the high meadows at the farm.
As the pond began to fill up during the winter rain, it looked ideally-placed to provide irrigation for the Haye Farm market garden, in addition to providing flood-relief for the valley below. In the drier conditions in late Spring, the pond quickly became a valuable water-resource for the local wildlife.
A number of birds regularly used the pond for drinking and bathing. House Martins and Swallows were able to drop down to the pond and take a drink while in flight. Starlings regularly enjoyed mass-bathing with their large number of fledglings. Most of the regularly-seen farm birds all made their way to the pond.
The nesting season revealed another resource not originally anticipated. The clay soil proved to be a perfect source of mud from the damp edges of the pond. This was regularly used by House Martins and Swallows during their 1000+ trips required to build a nest. They carry the wet mud in their beaks as a ‘pellet’ each time, taking them around 10 to 14 days of foraging and construction to build a complete nest. Both parents (primarily the female) collect mud pellets, interweaved with strands of grass and straw, finally lining the nest-cup with soft feathers and moss.
This was an ideal opportunity to put the hide up by the pond in order to take photographs. Several sessions in the hide allowed me to observe and photograph these beautiful, busy little birds from a relatively close position. We plan to retain an area of mud for future years, as the pond and marginal plant-life develop over time.
Photographs; https://flickr.com/photos/daveroach
Video/slideshow; ‘The New Pond’ https://youtube.com/@wyreforestdave
Upcoming Events
Claire will be running two workshops in August.
21st August 18.00-20.30 - Healthy soil for resilient gardens & allotments
Join us for an inspiring evening at Haye Farm, learning about the soil ecosystem and how supporting it is key to building resilience in our gardens and our allotments.
This is a practical session, perfect for anyone who values hands-on learning and with an interest in gardening or the natural world.
22nd August 10.00-16.15 - Grow your own food in a changing climate
Join us for this empowering day at Haye Farm, learning how to build resilience in your garden or allotment, and grow your own food in the reality of our changing climate.
This foundational workshop will give you in-depth, practical knowledge about building healthy soil, making great compost, choosing and tending crops, and planning your growing space in a way that is in harmony with natural processes.
Summer Time - Shop Opening Times
Our farm shop is open:
Tuesday - 13:00 - 14:00, Saturday - 09:00 - 10:30
Market garden veg is available on Saturday mornings.
We have a fresh supply of beef, lamb and juice available. Plums are currently available whilst in season and apples should shortly be following. Those wishing to purchase outside of these times can email haye-farm@outlook.com or call Stuart on 07732 489195 to arrange.