Glyphosate: What You Need to Know
Spring is slowly arriving on the Lambourn Downs— and with it the first bumblebees and wild honey bees venturing out to forage. Glyphosate harm bees, disrupting gut bacteria and affecting immunity, reproduction, navigation, learning, and memory—key functions for pollinators that support our food system. In January, the Oxford Real Farming Conference hosted a packed debate […]
Hedgelaying at Sheepdrove
Regular Sheepdrove walkers may have noticed that we’re currently laying the long hedgerow that borders the chalk downland meadow stretching across Bockhampton Down. This substantial piece of conservation work is being carried out by local hedgelayer and woodsman Tom Fortune of Fortune & Sons. Hedgelaying is a traditional craft that regenerates hedgerows by encouraging thicker, […]
Dew Pond Restoration
At Sheepdrove Organic Farm two dew ponds have been restored and we have received management advice from arable plant expert Lizzie Cooke from Plantlife who has been carefully monitoring wild arable plant species, helping to build up knowledge to help rare arable plants thrive and prosper. This work is part of the Partnerships for Nature […]
Celebrating a Successful — and Scorching — Sunday Ramble at Sheepdrove
On Sunday 13th July, under a blazing summer sun, a truly intrepid group of ramblers gathered for a circular walk through the drovers’ roads, field margins, and footpaths that crisscross Sheepdrove Organic Farm’s 2,000-acre mixed organic landscape on the Lambourn Downs. Braving the ferocious heat — even by 10:30am it was sweltering — walkers came […]
The Silos – A Unique Holiday Stay
Two former agricultural silos have been transformed into unique, self-catering accommodations, offering a quirky twist on traditional getaways. These charming spaces combine the minimalist charm of tiny homes with the distinctive curves and impressive verticality of the silos. With sweeping views of the picturesque North Wessex Downs, they are the perfect retreat for those seeking […]
Barn Owl Chicks Update
A barn owl from a busy day at Sheepdrove October with accredited BTO bird ringer and owl man Captain Jerry Woodham, ably assisted by Sheepdrove Organic Farm’s Mike Barker, carefully inspecting all the boxes on the farm for signs of breeding. Back in June they ringed two clutches of three chicks and found a female […]
Charcuterie Open Day at Sheepdrove
What a day! A few photos from Game Changer Charcuterie Open Day at Sheepdrove Organic Farm on October 26th when Charlie, Kat and Rich welcomed over a hundred people to our venison butchery for a day of demonstrations and charcuterie tastings. Stay tuned for future events and treats www.gamechangercharcuterie.co.uk It is widely acknowledged that deer […]
Sheepdrove Hosts Landscape Forum
On Wednesday 6th November Sheepdrove hosted the North Wessex Downs National Landscape 2024 Annual Forum – many thanks to the brilliant North Wessex Downs team for a stimulating programme and a thoroughly enjoyable day on the farm with a delicious lunch from local Lambourn Valley caterer Jake from Quinton Catering. In the courtyard there was […]
Bee Friends Open Afternoon
Bee Friends Open Afternoon at Sheepdrove on Saturday 31st August at 2.30pm Come and learn to identify bumblebees on a Bee Safari with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, visit our Bee-Friendly Market Garden and make your own refreshing smoothie from pollinator dependent fruit on Hungerford Food Community’s Smoothie Bike. You’ll also be able to purchase fresh […]
Barn Owl Ringing at Sheepdrove
This picture of a barn owl chick was taken on a busy day at Sheepdrove on Friday with accredited BTO bird ringer and owl man Captain Jerry Woodham, ably assisted by Sheepdrove Organic Farm’s Mike Barker, carefully inspecting all the boxes on the farm for signs of breeding. They ringed two clutches of three owlets […]