insideKENT Magazine Issue 90 - September 2019 | Page 47

BORE PLACE
In order to become officially organic, products have
to comply with a specific set of standards – once the
product has been certified as organic, the producers
and makers can use the EU Green Leaf symbol or
the Soil Association organic symbol (in the UK, the
Soil Association certifies 70 percent of all organic
applications). Kent is home to plenty of organic
produce and products, from apples to skincare – here
are some we recommend you try.
Ripple Farm Organics
Crundale // www.ripplefarmorganics.co.uk
Certified organic by the Soil Association since 1989,
Ripple Farm Organics grows many different
vegetables including salad crops, herbs and soft fruit
of varying types. The key to their growing is
sustainability, and this is something they strive for
no matter what crops have been planted or harvested.
Ripple Farm Organics operates a box scheme
whereby organic vegetables and fruit are delivered
to their customers’ doors on a regular basis. They
also sell their produce in shops, cafes and pubs
throughout Kent.
Bore Place
Chiddingstone // www.boreplace.org The Rebel Farmer
Wye // www.rebelfarmer.co.uk
The farm at Bore Place operates as a sustainable,
agricultural enterprise, aiming to make best possible
use of physical, financial and human resources. It
also provides a valuable resource for learning and
education - for visiting students, other farmers and
for work experience placements. The farm converted
to organic status in 2000. It is certified organic by
the Soil Association. The farm covers 550 acres
which supports 240 cows who produce approximately
1.5 million litres of milk per year. Ed Kyrke Smith is the eponymous ‘rebel farmer’. A
tree surgeon and market gardener, Ed moved to
Kent in 2016 and began to fulfil his dream of organic
farming. Starting with just half an acre of pasture,
the Rebel Farmer now has raised beds, polytunnels
and more.
The woodlands, ponds, hedges and small grassland
areas at Bore Place are managed to improve their
value to wildlife. This is part of a whole farm plan
which allows farming and wildlife to co-exist within
day to day farm management.
Just north of Bore Place House is the expanding Soil
Association certified organic vegetable gardens.
These provide produce that is used in the on site
kitchen, for educational work with visiting schools
and community groups and they also sell some
produce to small, local businesses. All the gardens
are managed by a small, dedicated team of staff
and volunteers.
What’s really exciting about the Rebel Farmer’s
approach to farming is that it is entirely off grid
thanks to rainwater harvesting and solar panels.
Even the soil is made on the farm using horse and
cow manure and wood chippings. Everything is
locally sourced and no chemicals are used whatsoever.
Examples of the crops grown on this land include
cucumber, beetroot, peppers, parsnips and celery.
Moors Juice
Teynham // www.moorsjuice.co.uk
Moors Juice is made on Nichol Farm where a variety
of apple and pear juices are created using organic
methods. Moor Organic Juice is made from hand
picked fruit from the farm itself, so it doesn’t get
much more local than that! It’s as fresh and organic
as can be.
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