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Location
Perry Court Farm is a small family farm lying in a valley of the North Downs between the
villages of Chartham and Garlinge Green and about 5 miles
south west of Canterbury, Kent, in the UK.
History
Perry Court has always been a
typical mixed Kentish farm, supporting fruit
enterprises, sheep, hops and cereals.
Since 1953 it has
been farmed by the Brockman Family. Today unlike many
others it is still a mixed farm using traditional
methods to maintain and improve yields in a safe and
sustainable way. The conversion to Organic and
Bio-Dynamic management began during the 1950's with
fruit and vegetable enterprises being the first. Now
into the fourth generation at Perry Court the family
continue to farm in the traditional way with the added
benefits of modern machinery and the latest Organic and
Bio-Dynamic Methods.
Land
The area of land being Bio-Dynamicaly farmed comprises about 330
acres, some of which is in the conversion process. The main block of
land is at Perry Court, with additional land being farmed at Garlinge
Court Farm, Petham Park, Court Lodge Farm, in Bossingham and also at the former
Canterbury airfield near Harbeldown. The soils range from a
fertile medium clay, silty loam in the valley to thin chalky soil on
the downland slopes and to a heavier clay and flint nearer the
woodland. Two different crop rotations as well as permanent pasture are
used to match the soils with the demands of the crops being grown.
Management
Traditional crop rotation is used for
fertility building as well as weed, pest and disease
control. The land has now been free of pesticides,
herbicides and fungicides for up to five decades, during
this period the soils have improved, showing higher
organic matter levels as well as increased biological
activity and improved soil structure. Crop yields have
also increased over this period. These Organic farming
methods are then complimented by additional use of
Bio-Dynamic sprays, planting and harvesting of crops on
certain dates set out in an astrological planting
calendar, the addition of composted farm yard manure and
also homeopathic treatments for the crops and
livestock.
Land that has been farmed without
chemicals for that length of time is a fairly unique
resource. The family's aim is to use this resource to
produce some of the best quality foods available using
Organic and Bio-Dynamic methods. The Farm produce is
then sold direct wherever possible ensuring customers
get some of the freshest and best quality produce
available anywhere .
While combining these two farming
methods to best effect, the farm also places great
importance on breed and variety selection for quality
and taste. Often the older slower maturing or lower
yielding breeds or varieties are selected in preference
for something developed only for maximum yield and
standard size.
Produce
The farm produces a range of cereal
crops, beef from the farm herd as well as vegetables,
salads and herbs. Stone ground flour is also produced
from the farms own milling wheat.
Sales
Sale of farm produce is increasingly
channeled through direct marketing outlets as it is
felt this gives the customer what they are now looking
for in terms of freshness, nutrition, traceability, food
miles, minimal packaging and realistic pricing, while at
the same time supporting local farmers and their
families.
The farm's produce is available in Kent,
Sussex and London by direct delivery from the farm.
Outside these areas delivery can be arranged at a
nominal cost.
Sales are focused on direct outlets
wherever possible, but also and increasingly so to
quality restaurants, caterers, and independent shops.
Box schemes, home delivery services, wholesalers, market
stall holders and food manufactures also make up some of
the sales
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