Draft: Suffolk Farmer Profile Hollow Trees Farm

Draft: Suffolk Farmer Profile Hollow Trees Farm

Hollow Trees Farm attracts Wildlife

Rare birds, butterflies, barn owls and bees are just some of the visitors at Hollow Trees Farm located in the picturesque village of Semer, on the outskirts of Hadleigh.

This LEAF member farm welcomes 175,000 visitors a year, many of them school-children who come to learn more about nature and to see how a modern mixed farm attracts wildlife and conserves the surrounding countryside.

The farm is run by Sally and Robert Bendall, who together with a team of 45 staff manage some 140 acres of arable land and raise pigs, sheep and cows.

LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) is a national charity which works with farmers to encourage sustainable farming. It also helps them create better public understanding of farming through its national work of farms and in doing so, brings farmers and consumers together to raise awareness of how farmers are working in harmony with nature to produce good food with environmental care.

“For us, the benefits of being a member LEAF farm are that it focuses your farming onto the environment, rather than commercial. LEAF’s principles are in the background all the time and enable us to use farming techniques that work in harmony with the surrounding countryside,” said Sally Bendall who manages Hollow Trees Farm with her husband.

Examples of LEAF systems can be seen during a tour of the farm - six metre strips have been left around fields and hedgerows cut less frequently to provide a safe harbour for wildlife. A buffer zone is left around ponds to protect frogs, newts, wild ducks and birds. Areas are planted with a mix of different bird seed so that there is food for wild birds in the winter months and nectar and pollen rich plants are grown in the summer to attract butterflies and bees.

The farm trail is a big attraction and is open seven days a week. It takes visitors on a stroll through the meadows and the livestock barn where they can see the farm’s goats, sheep, cows and free range chickens foraging for food. There is a willow den, a hill fort, goat mountain and guineas stable for children and for adults, the farm shop is the perfect place for stocking up on the farm’s seasonally grown vegetables and farm produced meat

is grown alongside all kinds of vegetables ranging from cauliflowers, peas, beans, sweetcorn and cabbages, all of which can be purchased from the on-site Farm Shop.

Although Hollow Trees is a busy working farm, Sally and Robert put a lot of effort into welcoming visitors and run educational and recreational activities. The facilities range from the Farm Shop (which has a freezer centre and coffee shop) to a Plant and Pet Food centre. Such is the popularity of the farm birthday parties and school visits programme , they are fully booked every year.

“Although we are a busy working farm, we are increasingly seeing consumers of all ages reconnecting with farming and it’s great to see the children becoming more aware of the environment and its link to food and farming,” said Sally.

Hollow Trees farm will be participating in LEAF’s Open Farm Sunday on 1 June 2008, with a programme of activities for all ages.

Hollow Trees Farm, Semer, Nr Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 6HX

Sally Bendall 01449 741247 / 07881 952950

For further information and images, or to arrange an interview or visit to the farm contact:

Naomi Barry

Open Farm Sunday Press Office

T: 01189 475956

E:

Editors’ notes

  • Open Farm Sunday is organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming). LEAF is a national charity that helps farmers produce good, quality food with care for the environment, whilst working with their local community.
  • An increasing number of farmers are signing up to the LEAF scheme which integrates modern farming know-how with conservation
  • Food carrying the LEAF marque logo indicates that it has been grown by farmers who are committed to looking after the countryside and the environment
  • Open Farm Sunday ( on 1st June provides a great opportunity for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at life on a farm and the nature it sustains
  • The Event is organised by LEAF and hundreds of farmers are taking part by inviting the public to visit their farm where there will be nature trails, talks, tastings and demonstrations
  • Visitors will be able to learn how farmers are encouraging natural plant species to thrive alongside crops and can get a close up look at farm animals and wildlife
  • Open Farm Sunday principle sponsors include: Countryside Council for Wales, CLAAS, DEFRA, Farmers Weekly, Frontier Agriculture Ltd, HGCA, LEAF Marque, McDondald's, Natural England, National Farmers Union, National Grid, Produce World, RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage and Waitrose