We started off the month with attending an Open Farm Sunday event, by the kind invitation of Sir Richard Sutton's Estate near Market Rasen.  This was our first year attending this particular Open Farm Sunday (although we'd had a presence in previous years with our oil courtesy of another business).  

Andrew and I arrived at just the most idyllic setting for this event - a little valley bottom in Stainton Le Vale - and were efficiently directed to our "space" in the open fronted "Producers Shed". I had baked a selection of cakes made with our rapeseed oil, plus the now famous "Lincolnshire Day Celebration Pizza" which showcases ingredients from other Lincolnshire producers in the form of our Lincolnshire flag.

This superbly organised event was very well attended (with so many interesting and informative stands) and we were blessed with glorious weather.  Great to speak to existing customers and make new customers and we'll be there again next year with new recipes.  Next year's event will be held on Sunday 11th June 2017 at Stainton Le Vale, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 6HP.

Lincolnshire Show was held on 22nd and 23rd June this year and on the first day we took part in the Educational Business Partnership event within the Schools Challenge Building.  Speaking to staff and head teachers of Lincolnshire, Andrew was able to educate the audience on how we farm at Fulbeck, especially how we grow, press and bottle our Select Lincolnshire award winning rapeseed oil.  I had set up two tables with information and tastings.  The teaching staff were able to learn about Select Lincolnshire (our county promoters of food, drink and acccommodation), Love British Food and their campaigns "Bring Back the Harvest" and "British Food Fortnight" and the NFU's "Back British Farming" campaigns.  With tastings from my cookery book and free handouts for schools on what we could do to help liaise with them on future projects, the afternoon seemed a success.

I had also been asked if I could be a "Farm Mentor" to local schools by the Education Officer at the Showground.  This year I decided to mentor Sir William Robertson Academy in Welbourn, our local secondary school.  At the beginning of June I spent a lunch-time with Mr Don Holland and students who were taking part in this year's Schools Challenge and helped them develop their chosen category "Healthy Eating".  I had taken some of my healthy vegetable dips in (from my cookery book) and healthy pizzas, looking especially at recipes for dairy free and gluten free.  Mr Holland and the students were able to build on the resources I had given them and put on an excellent display at the Show and I was able to chat with them and learn how they had developed some of my ideas that day.  I hope to work with them again next year and hopefully take on another couple of schools as their mentor.

It is so important that us farmers provide that connection to food production between ourselves and the general public and schools.  I must admit I do thoroughly enjoy that part of my job and am always delighted that the children are so engaging and quick to come up with suggestions and ideas.  

I'll update you on how our "Annual Groups Day Visit" goes next month.  It's on Thursday 7th July this year. Feel free to contact me on email: ownsworthsmail@gmail.com if you have any queries or would like me to trial any recipes for you.