News Snipets
Short and to the point, enjoy our news sniplet section for quick in the know news. Enjoy.
Something Different
February 2026
We have been unable to find a Berkshire pig replacement for our next breeding phase, so here they are – the gingers! Oxford Sandy & Black are also a rare native breed. So far they seem very docile compared to our feisty, destructive black Berkshires. Hopefully these cuties will add a new dimension to the farm. We have 2 pregnant Berkshire sows to spring us in to 2026 and 1 pregnant Oxford Sandy Black.
2025 Round Up
15 years – yes, 15 years owning my little farm shop business!!
15 years of long suffering support from my sister, Marie and James, my husband. I couldn’t exist without them.
Anniversaries tend to make you reflect on years gone by and I am extraordinarily proud of what we have achieved. I am often asked why we haven’t expanded as farm shops are increasingly popular due to consumer demand, especially since Covid. First off; we don’t own the premises, and we are severely restricted as to how we can expand without a significant amount of money being spent.
We have satisfied ourselves that maybe small really is beautiful after all. Small independent farm retailers like us can offer high-quality, fresh, and traceable food at the same time as fostering a connection to the community. We are proud to live and work in this beautiful village and we couldn’t imagine having to move somewhere else to expand.
This leads me swiftly on to the best news of 2025 – we have agreed the terms of our lease renewal and hope to stay for many more years to come.
At home on the farm we have made more changes. An annex was completed for my mother to join the family fold – however, she refuses to become a farm hand! Approaching 80 I don’t blame her.
2025 on the farm began with continuous wet weather. We had a few complications with the pig herd, sadly too many to mention, so we decided to run the stock down and have a quieter 2025/26 winter. Now fully rested we can start to bring new blood to the farm and be on our way to increasing back to 30 – 50 pigs over 2026 and into 2027.
Free range farming is incredibly hard work and is certainly another reason that we might not expand the farm shop when there is always something that needs doing on the farm itself. We certainly love our piggies.
We started to freshen things up with the stock in 2025 and this will continue into 2026. So many amazing products out there. Meetings are booked with new suppliers and we are excited what this new year might bring.
2023/2024 Round Up
I’ve been a bit remiss at posting news items here on the website, but I hope most of you follow us on social media.
An awful lot has been happening behind the scenes as the farm continues to take shape, and we also reflect on how our farm shop business is to grow. I have spent many months travelling to farm shops as far as Cornwall, up to Yorkshire and dozens of places in between. Drawing from other people’s experiences, and knowledge, is a good way to stay fresh. We are leaseholders at the farm shop so expanding is likely to prove very difficult, but we do have some ideas that you may notice throughout 2025. We are members of the Farm Retail Association who are invaluable champions for us and other farm shops. Follow them here
Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, our patron, is very active to support farm to fork projects.
You are never too old to learn!
Welcome James
05/05/2021
James has joined the team!! Having worked as a solicitor for many years the thought of going back to commuting when Covid is finally over is not a welcoming thought. He has enjoyed helping out and he has been invaluable through very tough times.
Farrowing
25/07/2019
Summer 2019 saw us sleep with our pigs. Yes, that’s right, previously we have been travelling from our house back and forth so many times during farrowing season that it is simply just easier to camp out. We love our spacious bell tent but not quite so the animals that all wake so early. The sheep start bleating as soon as sun is coming up! But hey, we love rural life and are very lucky to be in this beautiful village.
MoonPig
12/10/2017
With MoonPig.com we have supplied the apples from our local orchards for MoonPig to create a spooky gin. I had no idea that MoonPig did gifts as well as cards. Be sure to look out for this product.
Happy Pigs
01/08/2013
August 2013. So, not only do we own lots of piggies we have now moved to a nearby farm with more space so we can start to breed with our pigs. We are passionate about animal welfare so to have our pigs born and raised on the farm = happy pigs. Sarah pictured here to be our first sow. Fingers crossed.
The Farm
05/01/2021
We have purchased the farm where we keep our pigs!! We cannot tell you how thrilled we are to be able to live on the farm we have rented for the last 8 years. Living in Egerton, having the pigs at Greenhill Lane and the shop in Pluckley, meant a lot of driving back and forth. We have sold our home of 20 years and taken a leap of faith. We shall be converting the barn to live in. At present however, we have no electricity or water!! It is going to be an interesting year….. or 2!
Bob, our hand reared piglet
2018
We have had some success over the years hand rearing sickly piglets but Bob is the favourite. Born with a twisted jaw he could not latch on to his mother's teat to feed. We had no choice but to remove him if he were going to survive. And he did!! Thankfully he integrated back in to the herd when he was 6 weeks old.
Shave for McMillian
My sister did it!! Marie braved the shave for McMillian. Thank you to all those who gave to this worthy cause.
10/10/2019
Dotty and Angel
05/09/2012
September 2012. Look what we have started to do! We are renting a small space near to our house and have welcomed Zulu, Dotty and Angel (named by the children). The first of many we hope. We’ll be able to recycle our fruit and veg waste to these piggies and they will come back as sausages. Ticks all the boxes – zero food waste, low food miles, free range. For us it is not just animal welfare it is love at first sight.
Lockdown
12/03/2020
March 2020. As the majority of the world goes into lockdown we can assure you that as long as all our staff stay well and healthy we will be open as usual. Monday – Friday 9am to 6pm. Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 9.30am to 1.30pm (we have a little lie in). Safety measures will be in force.
Filming for CBeebies
18/10/2017
October 2017 Quite a month out filming for CBeebies at the farm and collaborating with MoonPig.com. Why, I hear you cry? We were approached by CBeebies to film with Fern of Fern & Rory Vet tales. In this series my niece, Tegan, will talk to Fern all about pigs – from sensitive snouts to tummy tickles and munching on acorns.
Farm Shop Dog
15/08/2016
August 2016. And here he is. Farm Shop Dog. So cute. Need we say more!
ITV's Escape to the Country
10/09/2011
September 2011 Well – we have only been open a year and have featured on ITV’s Escape to the Country. The programme show cased local shopping, small holding produce and Kent’s wonderful orchards. The pear juice featured will no doubt be the next best seller for us. Delicious.