Pig farms & Rockdust!

[callumbus 01]

Hi

The power of advertising on television is an amazing thing. Two things have caught my imagination recently – an interview I saw showing some results in Scotland of adding igneous (volcanic rock) rock dust to local soil to improve the fertility; the second a chap called Jimmy who recently gave-up his city job to become a rare-breed pig farmer.

The pig farmer came across on television as a bit of an idiot, which I don’t believe for one second he is, having visited his farm this easter holiday along with thousands of other like minded people in a kind of tv pilgramage. My impression of him certainly changed as it was evident that he really had put a great deal of work into something he believed in. His sausages are good too.

The volcanic rock dust experiments are something which unfortunately are not on my doorstep but I wondered if there were similar experiments being held in the southeast. I live in Hertfordshire and my house is built on a chalk hill. So the soil is a mix of clay and chalk. It is very hard to grow a lot of acid loving plants and I wonder if the introduction of this volcanic dust together with an acidic compost would help improve my soil type?

[Chickenlady]

I love that programme about Jimmy's farm. I think he came across really well - very cool in the face of various calamities! I don't live far from him and plan to pop into his farm shop very soon. Glad you liked the sausages - I will give them a try!

[Andy Hamilton]

Hi callunbus 01 welcome to the site.

I live in the south west and although I know that some of the landscape around here was formed by volcanic activity I have not heard of any experiments around here.

[callumbus]

Hi

They also sell chicken, chickenlady and beef etc. Not that I am a huge meat eater but I would rather eat meat that has had a happy existence.
This is going to sound wrong but it is nice to hear from a lady that enjoys a good sausage! Most women are either vegans, vegetarians or have been on a diet since childbirth.

'Jimmys farm' was a bit of treck for me as I live in Hertfordshire about an hour and 40mins away. The produce is really good. I bought a leg of pork and the difference between this and what you would buy in say T***o's is huge. There is more fat on the joint but it actually tastes of something and the crackling is fantastic (sorry if I'm begining to sound like a butcher).

Well worth a visit.

I might have posted this to your private email as well, my mistake – newbie!

[callumbus]

Hi Andy

I was just wondering whether there was a local Garden Centre where you could pick-up a bag of rockdust and give it a try. Anyone else no a supplier in the South East.

[Sue]

Maybe I'm the only one - or rather I'm not as my teenage daughter said the same
Its a hell of alot easier to give up your day job, live in a caravan, borrow a 4x4 and start a whole new life, with no knowledge at all if you happen to have a friend who will come and help for nothing (for a year!!) also have a handy very famous millionaire best friend, and a TV contract, and future book advances
sorry - just the jealousy creeping in - love the programme but I do wish they wouldn't patronise us by implying anyone could do the same.
By the way I'm now a founder "Friend of Darkwood" so watch this space

[PlayingWithFire]

Hi - Jimmy's was fun tv but not really self sufficient - lots of help from generous folk - never-the-less, good luck to him.

My brother had a tough time keeping pigs.

Anyway, the people doing the rock dust growing are just 20 miles away from me - I hope to visit soon but as I do not have a vehicle just now - or the time to hitch / cycle ... I have not yet got there.

Will keep you posted

~M