eco friendly strawbale farmhouse in the beautiful south hams area of devon
Cuckoo Farm is a 45 acre smallholding nestling in the South Devon countryside, close to the beautiful beaches at Bantham and Burgh Island, and the sailing town of Salcombe. It adjoins Andrews Wood a 100 acre Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Dartmoor is about 20 minutes by car and Transition town Totnes about 10 miles.
The farmhouse is a recently built straw bale, cob, oak framed property with a traditional thatched roof, designed to incorporate many new sustainable technologies. Our heating and hot water are supplied by solar power and wood burning stoves, our water comes from our own borehole. We have about 15 acres of rather neglected new broad leaf woodland, 25 acres of permanent pasture and 10 acres of arable land which our neighbour is farming in exchange for help with hedging and sheep.. We run a small free range egg business from the farm yard, delivering local class A eggs to local shops, cafes, inns, care homes, golf clubs and farm shops.
We (the Jenkins family, Simon, Janet, Rosie and Harry (he is a Carter!)) moved here in late September 2014 from Hertfordshire, where we run a family owned shop in Hitchin, Harvest Moon, selling fair trade gifts, furnishings and clothes and natural health products (its still there and run by Christine) We have met many challenges already since arriving here. Whilst having a big vision for the farm we are fortunately content with small steps. After all we truly believe that SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL!
The farmhouse is a recently built straw bale, cob, oak framed property with a traditional thatched roof, designed to incorporate many new sustainable technologies. Our heating and hot water are supplied by solar power and wood burning stoves, our water comes from our own borehole. We have about 15 acres of rather neglected new broad leaf woodland, 25 acres of permanent pasture and 10 acres of arable land which our neighbour is farming in exchange for help with hedging and sheep.. We run a small free range egg business from the farm yard, delivering local class A eggs to local shops, cafes, inns, care homes, golf clubs and farm shops.
We (the Jenkins family, Simon, Janet, Rosie and Harry (he is a Carter!)) moved here in late September 2014 from Hertfordshire, where we run a family owned shop in Hitchin, Harvest Moon, selling fair trade gifts, furnishings and clothes and natural health products (its still there and run by Christine) We have met many challenges already since arriving here. Whilst having a big vision for the farm we are fortunately content with small steps. After all we truly believe that SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL!
our vision... putting the heart back into this land
The land here was previously used for a fairly large scale poultry business and the sites of the hen houses and range have been left in very poor condition, highly compacted and covered in rubbish. We are working hard to remove/recycle the rubbish, replace topsoil and natural drainage and bring the hedges back by traditionally laying them to provide windbreaks and natural fencing for animals, using the wood for our energy source. Just rehanging the gates in a traditional way is time consuming. We manage the farm with an eye to sustainability and hope to be as self sufficient as possible, so future projects will be to increase our kitchen garden and grow herbs and plants that will enable our animals to self medicate. We have reintroduced a dozen hens and have 2 rescued Kune Kune pigs, Dave and Margot, living in the also rather neglected orchard, they think they are in Heaven not just Devon!
We brought with us our 3 fjord horses, Mernka, Solveig and Daisy. They are very hardy and will help us with jobs on the farm like harrowing etc They are trained driving ponies, since arriving they have been on very light duties and think they have retired! We also inherited 3 other equines left behind here, as they were too old/ poorly to be moved. One is a shire horse, Millie and the other Polly is a miniature shetland. Silver is over 30 years old! Together the 6 have made a happy little herd, all living out naturally and being barefoot. I use the ponies for equine assisted therapy as part of our workshop and retreats programme.
As time goes on we will be introducing rare breeds and exploring the possibility of growing an ancient type of wheat which is very low in gluten and helpful to people with intollerances.
We care passionately about the land and we work with The Avon Valley Project to manage the land and increase biodiversity.
We welcome WWoofers.
We brought with us our 3 fjord horses, Mernka, Solveig and Daisy. They are very hardy and will help us with jobs on the farm like harrowing etc They are trained driving ponies, since arriving they have been on very light duties and think they have retired! We also inherited 3 other equines left behind here, as they were too old/ poorly to be moved. One is a shire horse, Millie and the other Polly is a miniature shetland. Silver is over 30 years old! Together the 6 have made a happy little herd, all living out naturally and being barefoot. I use the ponies for equine assisted therapy as part of our workshop and retreats programme.
As time goes on we will be introducing rare breeds and exploring the possibility of growing an ancient type of wheat which is very low in gluten and helpful to people with intollerances.
We care passionately about the land and we work with The Avon Valley Project to manage the land and increase biodiversity.
We welcome WWoofers.
