Author of Finding Lights in a Dark Age, Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future and A Small Farm Future
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Posted on May 19, 2013 | 2 Comments
Regular readers of this blog will know that Spudman, my superhero alter ego, has been fighting a battle with Mendip District Council for the right to live on my land like a proper farmer (a planning officer at Mendip once told me that I wasn’t a ‘proper farmer’ – it’s now my badge of honour).
Our farming activities have been on a bit of hiatus since last autumn, largely as a result of the planning situation, and I’ve seriously contemplated trying to find a less stressful and more remunerative line of work. But once an improper farmer always an improper farmer so we (that is Spudman and the long-suffering Mrs Spudman) have decided to recommit to our small-scale farming vision, and have therefore appealed to the Planning Inspectorate against Mendip’s decision.
If you’re minded to write to the Inspectorate in support of our plans, this page on our website tells you how. If you live locally, or have agricultural expertise and can vouch for our view that intensive small-scale horticulture requires an onsite presence, then so much the better.
I’ll keep you informed of Mr and Mrs Spudman’s progress.
Meanwhile, after our exertions producing last week’s mammoth posting, the Small Farm Future team is going to take a break next week. But please don’t forget about us – we’ll be bringing you more pearls of wisdom from the frontline of sustainable agriculture soon, including ‘ode to a wheatfield’, some features on organic farming, a wry look at the permaculture design certificate, news of Small Farm Future’s growing academic respectability, another look at perennial agriculture and breaking news of an agricultural techno-fix that may just solve all humanity’s problems in one dig. So see you soon…
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While on holiday (from the blog at least) will you have a moment to check out the Dell – I understand its the former home of Alfred Russel Wallace. It’s supposed to be on the Thames in Grays, Essex. It was for sale last month, and if real estate isn’t flying through the market too quickly there it may still be available. It seems priced to go at 1.5 million pounds. 🙂
The site was an abandoned chalk pit when Wallace chose to build there – which may give you a clue to its potential for potatoes (and carrots!) … I’m guessing rice is out of the question.
Thanks for the tip, Clem – I’d love to be able to buy it, but it’s a bit out of my price range as a small-scale veg grower!