Fernhill is very much a working family farm, sustainably rearing sheep & cows, pigs and chickens, all within the conservation aims of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Higher Level Entry Scheme, both ten-year conservation projects.
Andrew Wear and his partner Jen, with their two sons Kyle and Seth, are establishing their long-term plans to rehabilitate this landscape, whilst maintaining traditional farming practices that are naturally compatible with these ancient Mendip grasslands – elsewhere in the area, it has become common practice to adjust the naturally acidic Mendip soil by adding lime, in order to grow higher yield pasture grasses. Because Andrew does not do this, the old, traditional breeds of Somerset grasses and flowers, many of which are now rare, can thrive here again. By grazing the livestock over a larger area, keeping the flock on the move and using each stretch of pasture at its most useful time, the farmer gets excellent pasture without tampering with the land’s natural balance. Many rare and interesting plants are found here at different times of the year, and they are continually
planting in the woodlands, hedgerows and gardens to create beautiful and useful habitats. Their kitchen & therapy garden can be seen during the event as part of the Permaculture area, with produced harvested for sale in their farm shop.
According to Jen, “We are developing the farm into a self-sustaining unit with its own supply of homegrown resources – food from our fields and gardens, water harvesting and recycling, wood and wool to keep us warm – and we are ready, as the next step, for the sun to heat our water and the wind to provide our power.”
Recently installed is a modern, semi-computerised wood burner which provides heating for the house and the camping barn (with plans in place for a large percentage of its wood fuel needs being grown on-site), The heating system – designed by Eco-Engineering of Stroud – can be topped up by the planned solar heating and wind generator, which will make them self-sufficient in energy.
As well as hosting the event on their land, Fernhill Farm’s team will be working as an integral part of it. A Farm Shop will be onsite selling bread, homegrown vegetables and many other essentials, ‘Fernhill Food’ will be selling full meals (both vegetarian and carnivorous) and snacks. Meanwhile, the farm will also be running a bar in the main venue selling local cider and organic ales. We will be making full use of Fernhill’s facilities, including the WET System – Water purification System, and will be able to offer access to the woodfuel showers for a small fee.
