Church FarmYour Weekly Newsletter

Friday 9th March 2012

A Note from the Grower

The soft fruit plantings currently being carried out include bushes of gooseberries and blackcurrants. Some of these will simply fill gaps in the established vicarage and kitchen garden soft fruit patches, but we will be making an entirely new planting of blackcurrants in the vicarage area also. Gooseberries and blackcurrants, and also redcurrants and whitecurrants, all belong to the botanical genus “Ribes”, a group that contains many ornamental plants too. As food and medicinal plants they have been used by humans for many thousands of years; Native American Blackfoot people used the root of blackcurrants to treat kidney and menstrual problems, while the Cree used whitecurrant fruits as a medicine to enhance female fertility.

Blackcurrants are natives to northern and central Europe and northern Asia, and therefore are ideally suited to the cool British climate. They are well known for their high vitamin C content, and for this reason their cultivation was encouraged by the British government during World War 2, when oranges and other exotic fruits became unavailable. They have remained a popular fruit ever since.

The gooseberry is similarly suited to conditions in the British Isles, and has a long history of cultivation on these shores. Unkempt gooseberry bushes may sometimes be found growing wild or feral in rocky alpine woodlands throughout Europe and Asia. It is a notoriously spiny shrub, but any puncture wounds suffered by the gardener during harvesting or pruning are repaid manifold by their wonderfully tart, tangy flavour and high nutritional value. Get ready to make tons of jam, pies and crumbles! Rik

This mother’s day, join us for our very popular breakfast or lunch, and celebrate the day in the beauti-ful setting of our country cafe. With delicious Church Farm produce and some delightfully indulgent treats for mum and all the family, this will be a day she won’t forget. Only a few tables left - please call on 01438 861 447 and select the time that suits you best: sittings are at 9am for breakfast, and 12pm or 3pm for lunch.

Last chance to book your Mother’s Day lunch

A recent survey for Countryfile showed that ninety percent of peo-ple think animal welfare is important when out doing their shopping. But how can consumers tell? John Cra-ven looks at three of the main farm-assured labels on the supermarkets shelves today, the Red Tractor, the RSPCA’s Freedom Food and the Soil Association’s Organic. How will they compare with each other when it comes to higher standards of animal welfare?Check it out on BBC iPlayer : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01dbbnv

Food Labelling

This week, 6 A level students from Princess Helena College, Hitchin, came to the farm to learn more about farm diversification as part of their Geography course. Despite the rain, they enjoyed a tour of the farm by foot learning about how the different enterprises come together to reconnect people to the land and food. They even had a chance to feed the pigs. It’s great that school curriculum is starting to appreciate and educate our future generations about the importance of sustainable farming, food, the environment and farm diversification. We look forward to more school trips like this in the months to come.

Farm Diversification

Church Farm, Ardeley, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7AH, T: 01438 861 447E: info@churchfarmardeley.co.uk www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk

Serves 4

Ingredients200g brown basmati rice1 tbsp olive oil1 butternut squash , diced1 red onion , diced2 tbsp mild curry paste300ml vegetable stock4 large tomatoes , roughly chopped400g can chickpeas , rinsed and drained3 tbsp fat-free Greek yogurtsmall handful coriander , chopped

MethodCook the rice in boiling salted water, as per pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the butternut squash for 2-3 mins until lightly browned. Add the onion and the curry paste and fry for 3-4 mins more.Pour over the stock, then cover and simmer for 15-20 mins, or until the squash is tender. Add the tomatoes and chickpeas, then gently cook for 3-4 mins, until the tomatoes slightly soften.Take off the heat and stir through the yogurt and coriander. Serve with the rice and some wholemeal chapattis if you like.http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/775642/indian-butternut-squash-curry

Recipe of the Week: Indian Butternut Squash Curry

Rural Care in NumbersWhat’s in my box next week?

MEAT Farm VarietySausages, beef roasting joint, pork steaks, beef mince, and back bacon.

Lean Cuts (NEW FOR 2012)Skinny/gluten free sausages, skinless chicken fillets, extra lean minced beef, and lean pork stir fry.

Old English CutsChicken liver, pork loin stuffed with sausagemeat, beef strips, stock pot bag

Premium SelectionSausages, beef rump, pork loin steak, back bacon.

VEGETABLESExtra Small (6 varieties)Potatoes, carrots, onions, cauliflower, tomatoes and swede.

Small (8 varieties)Beetroot, garlic and shallots.

Medium (10 varieties)Cabbage and red pepper.

Large (12 varieties)Red cabbage, white mushroom

Extra Large (15 varieties)Kale, spinach and salad bag.

FRUIT (extra large box)Banana, pears, apples, blood oranges, grapefruit and plums.

Please note that these are standard items and are subject to change. If you have asked not to be supplied with a particular item, a substitute will be provided in your box.

Real Ales: Real Food : Warm Welcome at the

Jolly Waggoner

Now taking bookings for Mother’s Day. Book a table today

to avoid disappointment! Call 01438 861 350

www.thejollywaggoner.co.uk

Rural Care started in December 2008 with 1 co-farmer and 1 member of staff. In March 2012, Rural Care employs 8 members of staff, 2 full time and 6 part time. Every week:

We provide 40 placements for co-farmers through direct payments through Health and Community Services.

We have18 students on varied college courses with our partnership with North Hertfordshire College. The majority of our students are on an animal care course.

32 school children attend on a weekly basis from 3 schools: Marriots School and Greenside school in Stevenage and Pinewood school in Ware.

25 support workers from schools, North Hertfordshire College or one to one support workers for individual co-farmers support the Rural Care staff team every week to make sure our co-farmers, students and pupils get the most out of their day at the farm and stay safe.