The Farmers Mart Jun/Jul 2015 - Issue 40 | Page 19

Ian Smart

Stirley Farm is not a “petting
farm” but is a fully functional
working farm. They started with
11 cows three years ago and
now the herd has now risen
to 50 and they are looking to
have another 50 suckler cows.
This is to be a low input herd
and the ultimate goal is for
the farm to be self-sustaining.
Already they sell beef packs
to the local community and
are expanding this all the
time. They are carrying out
grassland restoration work
across this urban fringe farm,
which will increase the number
and diversity of flowers,
insects, birds and mammals.
Barn owls can now frequently
be seen. The very best land
management practises are
being used, such as not

over-grazing on the land as
it is very wet, and not using
harmful fertilisers which then
promotes wild flower growth
and generates a rich sward
to attract butterflies. Hay cut
is taken later in the season to
help encourage more wildlife
into the fields.
The key objectives of
Stirley Farm are community
engagement, wildlife education
and to show best practise
land management. School
visits are most important, and
here children can experience
and help on a fully functional
farm as well as learn more
about wildlife, wild flowers,
land management and much
more. They can even learn to
make bird boxes. But visits are
not restricted just to schools

– Ian stressed that absolutely
everyone is welcome to
come and experience and
help. Already, agricultural and
conservation training has been
given to a whole host of young
people.
Stirley is also available
for corporate team-building
days to help meet corporate
responsibility targets. They
have already formed a close
relationship with Cummins
of Huddersfield who in 2014
helped put in a pond along with
a dipping platform.
As the farm is a charity they
rely heavily on volunteers ,
of whom they already have a
fantastic bunch helping right
across the farm - including
checking on the new calves
from 6am to 10pm sometimes,

restoring the farmland,
tending the food training
gardens, helping with building
renovations, farm maintenance,
educational activities, or
cooking and supporting our
events. The restaurant is open
on the first Sunday of every
month when there is an open
day, and one of the volunteers,
Rachael, manages it all
herself.
Stirley Community Farm is
now firmly established. Ian
and his small team and their
many enormously welcome
groups of volunteers will
continue to grow and develop
the farm providing both great
experiences and valuable
education to all who visit or
become involved for many
years to come.

www.farmers-mart.co.uk Jun/Jul 2015 19