13/08/2026
Dear Friends
Here is a bit of news about what has been happening on the farm and some new events coming up in the Autumn.
Farm News
Even though the heat is still incredibly challenging for everyone on the farm, the shop is now full of gorgeous fresh vibrant veg from the garden, glasshouse and tunnels. So do come and enjoy it all, to take home and/or to eat here in the cafe.
We are having to supplement the dairy cows feed as the grass, now mainly yellow, has not nearly enough nutrition left in it. The farm has made great silage from our fields so at least they are still being locally fed! WHEN the rain comes they will be back out fulltime. Our tiny herd of shorthorn x has nearly doubled ins size to a grand 65. After a long search we have welcomed 25 young Ayrshires into the herd. Now we can start to supply cafes, hotels and restaurants in the local area who are keen to support local farms.
If you drink coffee locally do ask the owners if they would like to use local organic milk! and to email Maya if they are interested.
The rest of the livestock need constantly checking to see that they have enough water and some shade. Luckily they seem to be more resilient than some of us..
The oats, barley and wheat are all in the grain store now. We finished the harvest the same week we usually start. Slightly uncanny.
The cafe is busier than ever, maybe more people are really starting to appreciate that a lot of our ingredients are straight from the actual farm - and also how good our cooks are of course! At this time of year on top of all the cafe dishes and production for the shop they are full on using everything possible from the garden that is spare. You might have noticed the pots of homemade homegrown pesto - an amazing basil harvest - stacking up in the freezer. They have now started on the tomatoes, making rich fresh tomato and basil sauces with the sungold and cherry red tomatoes. Chutneys and pickles will follow, keep an eye out as the batches are handmade and small. The soft fruit has not enjoyed the heat so the bushes have been stripped quickly and frozen, with small bags in the shop freezer now, hopefully lasting well into the winter.
On the subject of food, we have, unusually, two evening events coming up - the menus are not yet decided but we are watching the market garden closely and ideas are starting to form.
An Autumn Supper on the Farm
Saturday 3rd October
We invite you to come and enjoy a 5 course tasting menu inspired by everything we grow and produce here. There will be an optional market garden and glasshouse tour (no charge) with Hilary before the meal.
This event will be restaurant style.
Numbers will be limited so if you would like to book or get more details just email Hilary. £70pp
The meal will include meat from the farm but of course vegetarians will be well looked after.
There will be an online booking page soon.
Satish Kumar Talk
We are welcoming Satish to back the farm again on Saturday October 31st for an evening talk. Many of you will have heard him here before and/or read his books. Alway a joy and an inspiration, sit back and enjoy his wisdom. A great antedote to Trick and Treat night.
Book for the talk here
We are offering a 2 course meal from the farm before the talk. £45pp. There will be some smaller and some larger tables.
Book for supper here.
This is a fundraiser for Resurgence Magazine.
Old & Reclaimed Indian Cupboard, Chests and more.
`we have just bought down from the barn a good selection of our most recent shipment of old and reclaimed furniture in the green room. Lots of mirrors on the walls too. For the first time quite a few of the pieces can also be seen online on our organic textile website raniorganiccotton.co.uk
Off Grid Dream
Right from the beginning of the farmshop and cafe in 1999 I have felt uneasy about all the electricity needed to power the many fridges, freezers, pumps, lights and so much more. The dream for me was to become self sufficient in energy.
First we installed a woodchip boiler for hot water and heating, the first in gloucestershire, then the turbines, followed by solar thermal and smallish amounts of solar pv. Nowhere near enough.
10 days ago a second roof of solar pv was switched on, in total approx 95 kw of panels.(on two of the big sheds beyond the shop) Coupled with a great deal of battery storage, the last 10 days have seen an average of 89% of our electricity coming from the sunlight. I now have an app that shows in real time what energy the solar is providing. (one of the very few I use!) At the moment the sun and batteries take us through to around 4 or 5am in the morning and the grid then supports us until around 8.30am. Of course this is exceptional weather but an amazing start nonetheless.
Thank You
A big thank you from all of us who work here for shopping, eating and/or staying here.
Hoping to see you back on the farm in one way or another soon.
Hilary
