Proper Edges Biochar

We produce high quality biochar from the wood left over after hedge laying, coppicing and gate making. Usually this brash is burnt, wasting energy and releasing poluting smoke. However, using our highly efficient kiln, we can produce biochar very cleanly with hardly any smoke and the carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere is stored in the char.

Biochar is fine charcoal that can be added to compost to help hold nutrients and water in the soil and increase soil fertility. Its microporous structure also provide ideal habitat for mycorrhizal fungi that help to feed plants. It can be used  in layers on compost heaps or in leaf bins but it has manifold other uses too. To find out more about benefits of biochar, and the science behind it, have a look at the International Biochar Institute website.

We sell our biochar in paper sacks and in dumpy bags. We also sell top grade barbeque charcoal in paper sacks. Our kiln is fully mobile so we can also bring it to your site and make biochar from your own brash wood.

Jeremy Weiss at Velwell Orchard

Farming Futures: What does Brexit mean for agriculture, environment & health in the UK?

Caroline Aitken, director of Patrick Whitefield Associates,

Venue: The Playroom, The Old Postern, Schumacher College TQ9 6EA

Date: Wednesday 3 October, 2018

Time: 8:00 pm

Entrance: £5.00/£4.00 Concession

Jeremy has asked me to let you know that  as of this week Velwell Orchard Volunteer Days are changing to a Wednesday. Come and join us anytime between sunrise and 4pm.

and an Invitation to Members from Huxhams Cross Farm

Celebration Day at Huxhams Cross Farm. Saturday 29th September

We would like to invite you to our celebration day on Saturday 29th September.   What is this about?        We are celebrating our new training centre opening, our Biodynamic Certification and all the hard work that has happened over the last few years.

The evening event will have music and a bar and bbq where you can purchase food and drink for a small cost if you want a little more than the bubbly we have. Please note this is an invite only event,  if you would like to attend please could you respond to rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk or 07507 841158 including who is attending and for what part of the day the AGM and lunch, the tour and cake or the evening event.  You can attend all of the day if you would like as well.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Warmest wishes,  Mark, Marina, Bob and the Apricot Team

and finally a message from Ros (the other one at Beara)

SWBD Agriculture Lectures Study Group

After the summer break, the group will meet again on Monday 10th September at Cholwell, The Summer House from 5pm-7pm.  If you would like to join or just to have further information, please contact Tom Petherick (tom.peth@gmail.com)

SWBD AUTUMN GATHERING

to be held at HUXHAMS CROSS FARM   (plenty of parking space)

Sunday 16^th September 2018

10 am         Making the BD Preparations with Frankie van der Stok.

1.00 pm     Bring and share lunch, please bring something to share, hot drinks supplied.

2.00 pm      Talk and discussion with Richard Thornton Smith.

3.30 pm      End of Gathering.

Possible Stirring:    If enough people wish to join in a Stirring of BD Preparation 500, this will be arranged, together with a spraying of Huxhams Cross Farm. Bring a container if you wish to take some home to your own land.    This will be completed around 5 pm.

Everyone is welcome to come and help paint the new Therapy Building between 9 and 5 from Monday to Friday next week (16th – 20th July); extra assistance is needed as it is a particularly busy time on the farm.  On Tuesday, Bob and Marina will be there from 4 till 8 with drinks and pizza so everyone is particularly welcome then!

There will be a BD Horn silica stirring on Thursday 19th July from 9-11 am.