A Demeter certified Bio-Dynamic Farm

A G Brockman and Company
Perry Court Farm
Garlinge Green, Canterbury, Kent. UK
Freephone 0800 083 5942

A Demeter certified
Bio-Dynamic Farm

 
                                 

 


 

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Kent's first Organic and Bio-Dynamic farm. Established 1953
 

About Us

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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Perry Court Farm on Film

Film 1
Joanne Ball's Winter....
This film is a poetic look at the winter season and the contemporary rural situation of the UK through the life of a small organic/bio-dynamic farm in east-Kent, UK
The film was produced independently in 2005.

Film 2
Filmed in 2004, Philip Carr's
Bio-Dynamic man
 focuses on Alan Brockman who was  the driving force behind setting up Perry Court Farm as an Organic and Bio-Dynamic farm. It gives a valuable insight into the farming activities over the last 50 years and what inspired the conversion to these virtually unheard of methods at that time.
Alan Brockman served on the original Soil Association committee, chaired the Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association in the UK for a number of years and has lectured widely on Bio-Dynamics both in this country and abroad. 


Click on the link above to download it or buy the DVD direct from the farm.

Please send a cheque made out to A G Brockman and Co. for £19.95 (p&p included) and your address details to:

A.G.Brockman & Company
Perry Court Farm,
Garlinge Green,
Canterbury,
Kent.
CT4 5RU

For oversees postage please contact us first for additional p&p charges that would apply.




    


                                                                                                       A.G. Brockman and Company
                                                                        Perry Court Farm, Garlinge Green, Canterbury, Kent. CT4 5RU
                                                                                        DEMETER Certification UK6 License no 102pa