FERNHILL FARM

Much of this information is courtesy of Bruce Garrard

Conservation Site
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.

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Self-Sufficiency
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. Excitingly, the Solar Thermal system is being fitted during this year's Off-Grid Gathering with a practical workshop planned around this.

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The Camping Barn
The camping barn marks a new direction in the farm's development.

"The Grade ll listed building is now the new camping barn facility, and we are open to welcome you all through the doors for a truly arcadian experience."

There is space for up to 32 people (plus camping if required), beautifully done out with wooden furnishings, panelling etc all made from trees grown on the farm, completely wheelchair-friendly in a lovely location, with choice of catering or self-catering and prices negotiable for groups. The roof is insulated with wool and the wood-burner powers underfloor heating - with 2,000 trees recently planted on the farm to provide fuel, to be topped up by willow grown on the WET sewage treatment system.

The Camping Barns are available to rent for Off-Grid Attendees — Please go to our Accommodation page for more details of the fantastic Bed and Breakfast service on offer!

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Practical and Educational Projects
Both Andrew and Jen grew up on farms, and appreciate their good fortune in being grounded in such a beautiful and well-appointed part of the planet. "We want to be putting a little bit back" they say, and amongst the numerous practical and educational projects that they have links with is the 'Send a Cow' project. This seeks to improve the viability of subsistence farms in Africa; providing a cow also means manure, productive organic vegetable plots, and a general enrichment of life though still within the subsistence ethic. He felt humbled by a recent visit from a Ugandan farmer, and hearing of the difficulties she had faced during her life.
In the UK, linking with “Grow it Global”, the project addresses a different form of poverty by giving children access to the countryside. Fernhill Farm has hosted 2 Ugandan farmers and over 1000 children, providing practical opportunities to recycle bags, water and nutrients to allow them to grow some of their own food even without a garden!

There are a string of other connections with local schools, as well as Osprey Outdoors, Walk the Mendips with Adrian Boots, AONB and Let Nature Feed Your Senses - all which encourage the creative and respectful use of the countryside, particularly for young or elderly, disabled or disadvantaged people. Fernhill recently hosted an event titled 'Ecological Diversification' for local landowners, a practical and informative day with talks and farm walk involving craftspeople involved in the project. As well as farming techniques, the event introduced others to the range of eco- and educational projects taking place on the farm and demonstrating Fernhill as a model for sustainable farming practice in the 21st century.

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Fernhill Farm At Off-Grid
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. The Camping Barns are available to book (see Accommodation page) as part of ticket price through Fernhill themselves. Lastly, we are working with Fernhill to build a large 40ft roundhouse on site in time for the 2012 event, and will be building a permanent demonstration model this time round.

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