SBS Farm Blog March
The arrival of Spring has seen lots happening on the farm – quotes are being obtained for the main border fencing, which needs to be very secure and will be the priority use for the grant funds – some later internal fencing and stock boundaries will follow as needed.
Mrs Strugnall, Farm Leader, has been liaising with animal rescue centres and is the exciting news is that 6 ex-battery hens should be arriving by the end of March with some pigs to follow after Easter once the fencing and housing is ready for them.
The wheelbarrow donated by New Milton Sand and Ballast has proved very useful with all the clearance work and a further donation of £100 in Mole Valley vouchers has been given by the Lymington Yacht Haven – a careful selection of tools and resources will be purchased with this. A family linked to the school are also donating building items and tools following a bereavement, which if much appreciated.
Mrs Strugnall and Mr Howard are keen to ensure that donations are received at the right time for the farm’s development and when there is secure storage ready to accommodate items.
What is needed most urgently is:
Seed compost
Potting compost
Seed trays
Rhubarb plants if you are splitting any
Snowdrops “in the green” that can be transferred into the farm area
Any sensory plants e.g. sage, buddleia
Temporary greenhouses – plastic until the long-term dream of a polytunnel can be achieved
Seeds – please let Mrs Moir know what you are giving so she can keep the wish lists up to date! Look on google classroom for the planting plan.
The children are taking the lead in choices of what to grow, so there could well be a surplus of strawberries and tomatoes to share later this year.
In the pre-existing wildlife area, work is undergoing to tidy and make a maze from the willow circle and to plant sensory plants within it to attract a diversity of insects and to stimulate the children’s senses.
The pond will be tidied up and the decking checked before it is developed to create a duck run for the ducklings, that will hopefully be hatched by broody hens later in the year. Mrs Strugnall is in touch with agencies such as the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Sparsholt college and Waterways England to ensure all is completed in the best way to encourage wildlife.
Phase Two of the farm into 2026 will concentrate on creating an orchard and grazing areas in the field between the church and school grounds – ensuring the access for parents collecting children is considered. This will include more raised beds and fruit-growing areas.
It is really exciting to see so much progress under way and the team involved would like to give their heartfelt thanks for all the support from parents and wider community.
Suzanne – Nanna to Lara Rose in Gruffalo
SBS Farm Wish List
Timber and other materials for fence and animal shelter building
Adult shovels x 2
Adult spades x 2
Adult forks x 2
Adult rakes x 2
Small rakes, forks and spades
Brushes x 4
Plastic trugs x 10
Buckets x 10
Secateurs x 4
Work gloves x 5
Wellie boot rack x 2
Water butts