It was only after we bought our farm in Bishop's Castle that we were informed that the town was once home to Sir Albert Howard - a pioneer of the organic movement in the early 1900s. A botanist, and a keen observer of soil ecology, composting and nutrient cycles, Howard believed that the emerging trend toward chemical amendments to soils for intensive agriculture was the wrong way to go about growing. He wrote many publications, including "An Agricultural Testament" (1943).
So we've been initiated into the world of the Albert Howard Society; a small group of keen growers in the town who value the work and legacy of Sir Albert Howard. The group hosts talks on organic growing and local farms, and has researched Howard's life and family history in Bishop's Castle.
We're looking forward to hosting the Albert Howard Society this coming weekend (Sunday, December 5th) as the group does a walking tour of the town to highlight key places from Howard's life in honour of what would have been his birthday on December 8th (b. 1873 – d. 20 October 1947) . They will pay us a visit on the farm and give us an opportunity to talk about our growing plans for 2018, our set up process, and the values driving our market garden operation. Such friendly and interested neighbours make us feel more involved in the community and it's exciting to talk about the humble beginnings of Little Woodbatch Farm. Hopefully over the next couple of years we can show just how much healthy, tasty veg can come out of one acre of carefully managed earth.