http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/4a/97ef62cdf9a74f70415e58e9e5ade6_160x200.jpghttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/11/21/quail-egg-tapas-7427064/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/2009/11/21/quail-egg-tapas-7427064/Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:40:22 +0100 <p>Spanish marinated quail eggs</p> <p>This is a tapa, to accompany a glass of sherry or wine. It is a very tasty dish, which can be made a day in advance if necessary. Quail's eggs are perfect fingerfood, they can be eaten in one bite. This dish wouldn't be the same when made with chicken eggs. The dressing in which the eggs were marinated can be eaten with a piece of bread.<br> Huevos de codorniz en salpicón.</p> <p>Ingredients:<br> 18 Higher Fingle quail eggs<br> for the dressing:<br> 1/3 cup olive oil e.v.<br> 2 Tbsp. xerez vinegar<br> 1 shallot, very finely chopped<br> 2 Tbsp. dill leaves, also chopped<br> 1 Tbsp. capers, rinsed and drained<br> 2 Tbsp. pimiento (roasted and peeled red bell pepper)</p> <p>Preparation in advance:<br> Boil the quail eggs for five minutes with a dash of vinegar.Rinse them under cold water, peel them.<br> Roast the bell pepper in the oven (200 grC) for ten minutes, turn and roast again for ten minutes. Let it cool, and pull the skin off. Cut the pepper in small cubes. Chop the capers if they are large.</p> <p>Preparation:<br> Mix all the ingredients for the dressing. Add the eggs, and put in the refrigerator for at least two hours. Add some salt just before serving.</p> <p>To serve:<br> At room temperature. Serve the eggs in an attractive dish with picks for the eggs and pieces of (toasted and garlicked) bread to dip in the dressing. This dressing is also very good with green salads.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/11/21/quail-egg-tapas-7427064/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>recipesfoodorganichttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/11/21/quail-egg-tapas-7427064/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/11/15/quails-7381145/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-11-15:/2009/11/15/quails-7381145/Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:25:31 +0100 <p>The quails are now laying well and the eggs are now available to buy on the <a href="http://www.free-range-organic-poultry-and-meat.co.uk/component/page,shop.browse/category_id,10/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,26/">Higher Fingle online shop.</a><br> These delightful eggs are perfect boiled for 2 minutes and served simply with celery salt or mayonnaise. Or why not get adventurous with poached quail egg starters or browse the web for other exciting recipes. We just love to take them to the beach and boil them on the gas stove and have hot eggs after a spot of body boarding!</p> <p>Quails are funny little birds quite similar to partridges with a chirruping call and little scurrying movements. They are ground feeders and have a jump jet type flight where they shoot up into the air suddenly. They need to be kept in stable groups as they can be quite aggressive if new birds are added to the group.<br> Our quail are fed an organic diet but currently there are no organic standards for quail so we can not call them organic. They are in arks with lots of straw and sawdust to scratch in and they have an Aviary type pen to free range in. The aviary has to be of a fine mesh so no passing crow or buzzard and cats make a snack of a tiny quail.<br> The quail have been a summer project for the Amiss children, after visiting a farm with quails in cages on mesh floors they were keen to find an alternative way of production especially allowing the quail a chance to scratch. We hope that you will agree that a happy quail produces a delicious egg!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/11/15/quails-7381145/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodfarmingchildrencountrysidehttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/11/15/quails-7381145/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/luxury-lemon-curd-with-elsas-organic-duck-eggs-7211824/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-10-20:/2009/10/20/luxury-lemon-curd-with-elsas-organic-duck-eggs-7211824/Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:27:02 +0200 <p>Luxury Lemon Curd<br> This makes a creamy lemon curd perfect on toast or for filling sponge cakes. I use this when we have lots of eggs in the spring. Try ringing the changes and try orange curd by substituting the lemon for a large orange.</p> <p>1 Organic Duck Egg 1 Large organic lemon<br> 75g (3oz) Castor sugar 50g (2oz) Butter (salted or unsalted)</p> <p>1. Cut butter into small pieces, place in large glass bowl with lemon rind, lemon juice, egg and sugar.<br> 2. Put bowl over saucepan of simmering water.<br> 3. Stir until the mixture thickens and if you lift a spoon out you can see a trail across the surface.this should take around 20 minutes.<br> 4. Pot into clean glass jar or dish.<br> 5. keep refrigerated and use within 5 days.</p> <p>Order your eggs online from <a href="http://higherfingle.co.uk">Higher Fingle shop</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/luxury-lemon-curd-with-elsas-organic-duck-eggs-7211824/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>farmingfoodcookingcountryhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/luxury-lemon-curd-with-elsas-organic-duck-eggs-7211824/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/recycling-again-7127992/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-10-08:/2009/10/08/recycling-again-7127992/Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:16:39 +0200 <p>Farmers tend to be naturally careful, which means the green mantra ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ is not new on the farm. In fact farmers have an extra phrase ‘collect and keep any junk just in case.’<br> The other year saw the amazing Agricultural waste registration documents (printed on recycled paper of course) arrive. I make no apologies to including the following extract, which explains what each farmer needs to understand to apply for their waste exemptions<br> Usually any waste treatment, recovery or disposal activity needs to have a waste<br> management licence. In some cases, lower risk, small scale and less polluting activities may<br> be exempt from licensing. These activities are known as exemptions. Under the new rules<br> agricultural waste now has to be dealt with in the same way as waste from other businesses.<br> Most farmers will need to register one or more exempt activities. If there is no relevant<br> exemption to cover your waste activity you may have to apply for a Waste Management<br> Licence or change the way you operate.<br> There are more than 50 different exemptions. Some of these relate to specific<br> industries/businesses, and others can apply to all industries/businesses. Some apply to<br> farming and agriculture, those listed below are the most common, however you may need<br> others.<br> Exemption 40 - Storing non-liquid waste not at the place of production.<br> Exemption 41 - Storing waste at the place of production.<br> Exemption 15 - Beneficial use of waste.<br> Exemption 21 - Chipping, shredding, cutting or pulverising waste plant matter.<br> Exemption 54 - Spreading of agricultural ditch dredgings.<br> Exemption 27 - Baling, compacting, shredding, pulverising waste at the place of production.<br> Exemption 30 - Burning waste plant tissue in the open.<br> Exemption 47 - Spreading diluted milk on land for agricultural benefit.<br> Exemption 48 - Deposit of plant tissue at the place of production.<br> These exemptions are further complicated in the explanations to what they mean, for example the simple question, what can I do with my hedge trimmings? Gives the following answer:<br> ‘Hedge trimmings are not a waste if they are left where they fall becoming mulch around the<br> base of the hedge they originated from and they do not cause pollution. The trimmings can<br> be disposed of or recovered elsewhere, either on your farm or off-site, but you may need to<br> register an exemption. They can be spread as plant material onto your own land (Exemption<br> 7A), they can be composted (Exemption 12), burned (Exemptions 5, 29, or 30), chipped or<br> shredded prior to recovery or reuse (Exemption 21) or sent for disposal or recovery at a<br> licensed or exempt site elsewhere. Similar rules apply to grass cuttings.’<br> It is hard to believe that some one has spent time and money creating these rules, let alone expecting anyone to apply them. As you’ve guessed it’s not just filling forms but the agricultural industry has had to bear significant extra costs. The need to recycle all waste plastic and cardboard will be a good thing in the long term, but the financial burden is an extra cost the industry has had to take on board with a small farm using around 200 bales of silage having a black plastic recycling cost of around £150. The practical problems of sorting plastic, keeping it dry and getting it collected by a registered waste collector are a real headache. Currently most of the plastic seems to be going to china, in empty ships going to collect cheap toys and goods, where it is processed and sent back as bin bags. Maybe with predicted oil shortage plastic will become a valuable commodity for the farm to collect?<br> 25 years ago many farmers viewed farmyard manure as a waste product, now the N, P and K values (the fertility) are carefully analyzed when applying to reduce the cost of bagged fertilizer. On organic farms careful manure management is critical in the planning of production. At risk of the wrath of Crockernwell, the use of manure and sewage sludge may not be pleasant but we all produce waste and is not better that it is used productively and reduce the need for artificially produced fertilizers. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/recycling-again-7127992/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>green-livinglifeorganicfarminganimalshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/10/08/recycling-again-7127992/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/all-a-twitter-7034466/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-09-24:/2009/09/24/all-a-twitter-7034466/Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:37:33 +0200 Twitter Updates <ul></ul> <p><a href="http://twitter.com/organicduck">follow me on Twitter</a> <p><br> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/all-a-twitter-7034466/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/all-a-twitter-7034466/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/back-to-school-7034342/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-09-24:/2009/09/24/back-to-school-7034342/Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:10:40 +0200 <p>The dust is settling now everyone is back to school. This includes the twins that have happily gone of withe the big ones without a backwards glance! Being left at home alone means i have ample time to tidy up and get all those accounts down and bills paid. But somehow it is just not that interesting, so i have been spending time picking blackberries, trying out my never used bike and drinking cups of coffee with the farmer. After going to a 'get Devon modernized' computer course I am trying again to make our website more interactive and exciting, so back to blog writing! I am also trying to get my head around twitter, or i have been threatened that technology will leave me way behind. But will we ever sell a duck through twitter, stranger things have happened....<br> Not sure how I do a link but go to <a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter.com</a> and then our user name is Organicduck</p> <p><a href="http://higherfingle.co.uk">Free-range organic meat and poultry</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/back-to-school-7034342/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>kidsfarmingfoodtechnologyselfsufficenyhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/09/24/back-to-school-7034342/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/03/06/free-range-5701468/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-03-05:/2009/03/06/free-range-5701468/Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:32:14 +0100 <p>It surprises me sometimes that it is not really clear that organic poultry must always be free range. As part of the organic certification we have to let the ducks out unless the weather would be so bad that their welfare would suffer. The Soil Association (our inspection body) are very strict on this rule and we have to provide food, water and shelter from predators on the range to make sure the birds really do go out. After reading a free range duck egg producer's marketing material that reassures it's customers that in the winter the ducks don't go out as they don't like wet weather, i was intrigued to find what if any rules actually made sure that these ducks were really free range. There are EU rules about range size and access but the area is quite small and there doesn't seem to much regulation of them. When i see how far our ducks range in the day and how they enjoy dabbling in the mud it seems a shame not to let them have loads of space. Mind you all that walking probably means that they are not efficient egg laying machines and with the price of organic feed being over £400 per tonne we could really do with an egg a day. I'm sure that like the slow grown meat birds, a completely stress free duck must lay a better tasting egg and they do taste fantastic, but it may be a while before Elsa makes her fortune!<br> <a href="http://elsaseggs.co.uk">www.elsaseggs.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/03/06/free-range-5701468/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>freerange-poultryanimalsfarmingfoodhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/03/06/free-range-5701468/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/03/02/maybe-spring-5675161/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-03-01:/2009/03/02/maybe-spring-5675161/Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:38:19 +0100 <p>Maybe spring has arrived today, or at least we have seen the sun at last (still a cold wind off the moor). Even managed to dry some washing. The ducks love the fact the day is getting longer and are really starting to lay well. This means that i need to get out and sell as many as possible! Now we have finally got the eggs in Waitrose i am off round Farm shops and deli's to find more stockists. Still selling quite a number by post and we seem to have perfected the delivery without having scrambled. Riverford farmshop are now stocking them which is a great start!<br> Second sign of spring must be the Venus company (fantastic ethical beach cafes in South Devon) are starting ordering lots of organic chicken again. It is encouraging that they still have the ethics and confidence to buy organic.<br> We are also getting a goose egg a day from Lucy (8 year old's pet goose)that he loves fried to prove how much he can eat. I have heard goose egg, chips and champagne is the best meal ever, but yet to find the champagne!<br> World book day this week, which means mum has got to think up some costumes that will survive a day at school, at least it's not going to school in their night clothes day or some of the other great days we have endured!<br> <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk"><br> Take a deck at Higher Fingle Website<br> <a href="http://www.elsaseggs.co.uk"><br> Or look at the new site with lots of egg recipes</a></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/03/02/maybe-spring-5675161/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodcountrysidefarminglifechildrenhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/03/02/maybe-spring-5675161/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/02/20/labels-5611740/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-02-19:/2009/02/20/labels-5611740/Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:29:38 +0100 <p>Here is the new labels<br> <a href="http://www.elsaseggs.co.uk" title="duck egg boxes"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/508/3249508_52ea197b2e_s.jpeg" alt="duck egg boxes" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>And a little late a picture of the ducks first sight of snow! Just worked out how to get photos on the site.<br> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/509/3249509_e6db6b1254_s.jpeg" alt="Ducks in the snow" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/02/20/labels-5611740/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodfarminganimalshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/02/20/labels-5611740/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/02/13/new-website-5568312/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-02-13:/2009/02/13/new-website-5568312/Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:28:50 +0100 <p>Hurrah, at last the new egg site is online. Not completely finished with loads more recipes to go up, but it gives an idea of what it will be. Of course it has a gorgeous picture of the inspiration behind Elsa's eggs. Launch in Waitrose is now definitely 23rd Feb, just in time for Pancake day!<br> Check it out <a href="www">www.elsaseggs.co.uk</a><a href="http://www.elsaseggs.co.uk "></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/02/13/new-website-5568312/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodlifefarminghttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/02/13/new-website-5568312/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/rain-at-last-5384959/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2009-01-15:/2009/01/15/rain-at-last-5384959/Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:44:20 +0100 <p>My poor ducks are releived that the frost have finally gone and they have lots of water and mud to paddle in again. It has been real struggle to keep all the stock with water and with enough feed to keep them warm. Now we are back to the normal mud everywhere.<br> Although Jan is normally quiet we are in the middle of a massive Abel and Cole promotion (funded by them luckily) and the poultry orders have gone up four fold. So far things are going well, but there's a lot to get out everyday.<br> I have finally finished the accounts (just in time) and now I'm trying to get all the paperwork organized for our annual Soil Association inspection . These are always very thorough and tend to last a very long day. The inspector likes to look at all the animals to check on the welfare and housing. then inspects all our inputs and outputs as well as our accounts to make sure we are not doing anything we shouldn't. We some times get a few grumbles mainly about the lack of odd bits of paperwork that tend to go missing, but hopefully this year we will be ready!<br> <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk">http://www.higherfingle.co.uk</a><br> We are also on the countdown to the great Waitrose egg launch, hopefully labels boxes and eggs will all come together next week, then it will be all systems go, as long as the ducks don't get frozen up again! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/rain-at-last-5384959/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>familyfoodfarmhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2009/01/15/rain-at-last-5384959/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/12/12/nativity-plays-5210535/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-12-12:/2008/12/12/nativity-plays-5210535/Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:00:02 +0100 <p>This is nativity play week, we have the playgroup Innkeepers Breakfast and the school Star Nativity. Both have been lovely, but thank goodness i didn't have a star costume just shepherds and Angels. The school play and concert was the best yet with some lovely singing. I'm hoping their dad may leave the plucking for 1/2 hour to see some of it this evening. But as usual we are struggling with staff (having one leave yesterday as he needed a social life) but lots more coming to help tomorrow so the kids and I hopefully won't be required!<br> Still time to order the perfect organic goose at <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk">http://www.higherfingle.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/12/12/nativity-plays-5210535/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodfarmingchristmaschildrenhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/12/12/nativity-plays-5210535/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/12/03/christmas-puddding-5159765/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-12-03:/2008/12/03/christmas-puddding-5159765/Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:17:40 +0100 <p>We've been making christmas puddings. Our old family recipe is quite simple, my mum would always say '1lb of everything'. As we didn't want to feed half the village we just did 1/4 lb everything, currents, raisins, breadcrumbs and all the rest including a tin of stout. Yesterday we pulled out the baby burco boiler and steamed the utility room out. I was thinking what a long winded way of cooking and wouldn't it be easier to buy one, but the children loved it and the smells transported me back to their age and the excitement of getting ready for the festivities. Of course it all gets a big mad this time of year on the farm, so it's lovely to find time to make real family preparations. We have no tradition of Christmas shopping, mainly because we are always too busy, when i see all the mums being really stressed about present buying and paying for all of it, i am so relived that we are so relaxed.<br> Still time to buy your Organic Goose, duck or large roaster chicken at <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk">http://www.higherfingle.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/12/03/christmas-puddding-5159765/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>lifechristmaschildrenfoodhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/12/03/christmas-puddding-5159765/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/28/poorly-children-5127840/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-11-28:/2008/11/28/poorly-children-5127840/Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:02:05 +0100 <p>What a week, with all the children taking it in turns to be ill. I hate it when you can't make them better, just cuddle them and hope that it soon passes. Poor things, hopefully it will get it out of the way before the Christmas fun starts at school.<br> So not much work on my accounts this week, but made some important chicken selling contacts so not all bad. The great egg operation continues and a date of 26th Jan is set now to go into Store! Still loads of technical things to get through and finish the labels, but we are getting there slowly.<br> It's a whole year since the barn was burnt down and it is finally near to completion, the farmer will be relieved as he needs to get the cows in out of the mud. Still not caught who did it yet, but we are waiting if they come back!<br> Lots of geese and ducks still to sell for a fab Christmas dinner visit<br> <a href="http://higherfingle.co.uk">http://higherfingle.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/28/poorly-children-5127840/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>farmingfoodchristmaschildrenpoultryhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/28/poorly-children-5127840/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/23/planet-party-5093565/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-11-23:/2008/11/23/planet-party-5093565/Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:22:37 +0100 <p>What a delightful party we have had for 8 year old boy with a great mobile planetarium. So not just fun but educational too. We also had lots of planet cakes, biscuits and spaced themed tea, as well chicken drumsticks (of course) and smoked duck that most of the kids loved. The kids were lovely with their questions and their quirky views on the stars, but my goodness they all were really knowledgeable and surprised me with how much they knew. Murray who did our presentation was a real hit with the children.<br> Unfortunately there's lots of coughs and colds about and a few children were struggling including 2 of mine, i think i may have at least one extra at home tomorrow. The weather here to day has been filthy wet and cold, but we hoping for sunshine to make everything look beautiful when the very important buyer comes to look round the ducks tomorrow! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/23/planet-party-5093565/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>lifefarmingchildrenhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/23/planet-party-5093565/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/19/back-home-5065507/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-11-19:/2008/11/19/back-home-5065507/Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:39:37 +0100 <p>What a relief to be back home. Although it was wonderful to meet so many lovely people it was completely exhausting and i was so homesick for all my brood. George, Henry and Bella worked really hard and even George (student nephew) was giving out cooking tips! At most shows there are always interesting stall holders and there is a great comradeship amongst them. We are particularly gratefully to the sausage man for helping us out cooking our samples, to <a href="http://www.thecoffeefairy.com">http://www.thecoffeefairy.com</a> for supplying us with lovely Nicaraguan fairtrade coffee and the crazy Swedish Nutcracker man for the entertainment when we were getting weary!<br> One of the things we found was that customers are interested how to cook our wonderful products. So we are going to put lots more recipes on the website and on this blog and we are looking for more so do send your favorites on to us.<br> Excitement this week was 8 year old boy's Birthday on Monday. What fun to celebrate. Favourite toy is Lego at the moment, which has got to be mothers nightmare with little bits every where and one twin having to be carted of to the doctors to get a tiny piece out of his nose! Birthday party on Sunday, with a planet and space theme. I think we have around 20 children arriving but that is as much planning so far! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p class="center"> <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk">http://www.higherfingle.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/19/back-home-5065507/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>childrenpartiesliferecipesfoodfarminghttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/19/back-home-5065507/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/11/christmas-fair-5020569/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-11-11:/2008/11/11/christmas-fair-5020569/Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:59:26 +0100 <p>Tomorrow very early, i'm off to London untill Sunday for the Country Living Christmas Fair. What am i going to do without my darlings for 5 days. I have only left the twins for 1 night before so it is going to be a big change! Hopefully it will be great fun with Bella, Henry and George. I always enjoy meeting lots of customers and finding out about them. Never having done such a big show before we don't know what we will sell, i hope we get it about right, we might not have anything left by Thursday! Now i have to make sure that all my lists are lined up of kit lists (netball and football tournament on thursday), Children Need, orders and all the other things that make the house hold stagger from day to day. Nevil will deserve a rest when i return!<br> <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk">http://www.higherfingle.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/11/christmas-fair-5020569/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodlifefarmingchildrenhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/11/christmas-fair-5020569/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/04/muddy-ducks-4985123/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-11-04:/2008/11/04/muddy-ducks-4985123/Tue, 04 Nov 2008 23:10:19 +0100 <p>The duck fields are all slimy mud at the moment and with grey misty days they don't dry out. As a simple precaution to stop Nevil killing our laying ducks, they are kept the house side of the road and the meat ducks the main farm side. Unfortunately the fence is not so good and the ducks are having great fun exploring the garden and the little wood round the edge for bugs and things. 150 webbed feet soon make every thing slippy which the twins love as it's a good excuse to get covered from head to toe. Neither of them seem to bother with the cold and although they both have overalls and waterproofs, they prefer to go out with just a t shirt on. It makes me wonder what age do you suddenly become a pathetic grown up and need coats, vest and even long johns before you dare to venture out doors. I'm getting a real wimp about that cold Dartmoor wind! Roll on the Summer!<br> Don't forget our website <a href="http://higherfingle.co.uk">http://higherfingle.co.uk</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/04/muddy-ducks-4985123/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>childrenduckslifefarmingcountrysidehttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/04/muddy-ducks-4985123/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/duchy-launch-4971014/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-11-02:/2008/11/02/duchy-launch-4971014/Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:28:58 +0100 <p>We are proud to announce that you are now able to buy Fantastic Duchy Originals geese direct from <a href="http://www.higherfingle.co.uk">http://www.higherfingle.co.uk</a> for Christmas. These geese are just the same as the other Higher Fingle geese but a royalty will go direct to Duchy Originals to support the Princes Charities. There is lots of information on <a href="http://www.duchyoriginals.com">http://www.duchyoriginals.com</a> about all the great British products and the good causes that benefit. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/duchy-launch-4971014/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>farmingduchy-originalsfoodhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/11/02/duchy-launch-4971014/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/29/television-star-4953374/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-10-29:/2008/10/29/television-star-4953374/Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:22:59 +0100 <p>My talented daughter has been out promoting her eggs again. This time she appeared on the Alan Titchmarsh show. It was a really interesting trip out for the oldest children (we left the twins with granny) and yes Alan was lovely! He asked her about the farm and where her eggs were sold and she was so relaxed,cool and coherent.I did start to panic when the told us that 7 million people were watching, but Elsa relaxed when the ducks on the set, that were hired in for the occasion, started to quack loudly. There was 2 other young food businesses chocolate and a champagne importer, but Elsa being the youngest stole the show. (but i would say that, she's lovely!!) </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/29/television-star-4953374/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>animalsfoodfarminglifechildrenhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/29/television-star-4953374/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/24/farm-study-centre-4921651/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-10-24:/2008/10/24/farm-study-centre-4921651/Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:34:35 +0200 <p>At last we have a picture of the proposed education center and hopefully rob and his team at Lodgico will be starting soon.<br> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/522/2927522_2269feb596_s.jpeg" alt="48bffdb157988_Higher Fingle Farm.jpg.thumb.img" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/24/farm-study-centre-4921651/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>-educationfarming-children-food-enviromenthttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/24/farm-study-centre-4921651/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/19/trip-to-london-4897041/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-10-19:/2008/10/19/trip-to-london-4897041/Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:44:43 +0200 <p>Higher Fingle farm is off to London for the Country Living Christmas Fair. This is a big thing as we don't often leave Devon and certainly don't go anywhere with lots of people. There is so much to plan to take and not being very artistic it is a struggle try and design an attractive stand to display all our wares. But it will be great fun to meet lots of our lovely customers. We always have such interesting conversations at food festivals and there is always at least one face from the past that just happens to be passing by! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/19/trip-to-london-4897041/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodfarminghttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/19/trip-to-london-4897041/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/pigs-for-sale-4831061/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-10-06:/2008/10/06/pigs-for-sale-4831061/Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:56:59 +0200 <p>Those piglets have dug up my garden again today. When i say piglets one of them is quite massive and just dug a trench across the lawn. So out I go shouting and screaming at them and they just look round and laugh. They will have to be sold, but i can't find any one who wants them. They are quite cute in a piggy way and they do make good sausages. Maybe somebody somewhere needs their garden redesigning! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/pigs-for-sale-4831061/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>farmingfoodanimalscountrylifehttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/06/pigs-for-sale-4831061/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/05/wet-ducks-and-royal-pies-4822703/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-10-05:/2008/10/05/wet-ducks-and-royal-pies-4822703/Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:12:33 +0200 <p>After some fantastic weeks we are now back to rain and mud. Although the ducks and geese love this to dabble in, it's not so good for the poor farmer who has to struggle through the mire to feed them and use extra straw to keep them warm. Being so committed to animal welfare means that we don't try and keep the poultry in unless it really is too bad for them. This means around the houses soon turns into a mud bath that they walk into the houses with their big webbed feet. This year our price of straw has rocketed and the quality is very poor which will effect us livestock farmers all winter. In chicken's especially you need to be really careful if the straw is moldy or too dusty not to cause diseases.<br> I noticed in the Saturday Telegraph magazine (did you see Elsa and her ducks again!) that Gordon Ramsey was having a go at Duchy Originals for producing rubbish. Most people Know that we are great supporters of the Duchy brand and they have given us much help and encouragement over the years. Gordon seems to think that to produce something with a shelf life for a supermarket is wrong, but unfortunately that is the reality of the food world. If only we could all afford to eat at his michelin starred restaurant's! HRH is genuinely producing good food that is sold nationally and he is making a profit that goes to charity, and we can testify that he really does care about food producers and farmers.</p> <p>We were lucky enough to have some fantastic fresh fish sent up from Cornwall yesterday (Edwards Fishmongers), which I just baked in the oven . It was wonderful, such a change from chicken drumsticks, even the kids gobbled it all up. We share a delivery run with the fishmonger up into London everyday which helps to keep our costs and carbon foot print down! I suppose all the rain might be good for fish!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/05/wet-ducks-and-royal-pies-4822703/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>farmingfoodgordon-ramseyduckshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/10/05/wet-ducks-and-royal-pies-4822703/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/25/christmas-is-coming-4780394/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-09-25:/2008/09/25/christmas-is-coming-4780394/Thu, 25 Sep 2008 21:26:08 +0200 <p>Christmas orders are starting to trickle through now. This makes me have to get organized for the great Christmas campaign. First thing we start planning is the distribution of all our orders, the Christmas orders really start going out at the beginning of December with lots of trade requests and customers that celebrate early. This year we have cut back on the number of geese with them all selling on our mail order line or for our local customers, but we have increased the number of ducks as the popularity seems to just keep increasing.<br> then we have to start to round up all the volunteers and workers to make sure we manage to get everything finished by 25th! At times we desperately wish that Christmas could be a moveable feast!<br> Each year I vow to get shopping before it gets to busy, but I think Amazon last minute ordering was made for me as I desperately order books between sticking on labels and packing orders. It is lucky for the kids that they have such fantastic Grandparents that are much more organized than I, are we the only family that Father Christmas leaves presents wrapped in carrier bags? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/25/christmas-is-coming-4780394/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>childrenfoodfarmingchristmashttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/25/christmas-is-coming-4780394/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/23/does-price-matter-4768952/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-09-23:/2008/09/23/does-price-matter-4768952/Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:04:53 +0200 <p>The organic debate is still raging. I find it increasing difficult to keep my temper when trying to explain that the price of an organic chicken cost what it does because of the feed, straw and the fantastic welfare that people expect from us, not because I am making a fortune (if only). I think customers are clever enough to work it out and will buy on ethics and quality, but I just can't get through to Mr Big. No profit on 10 chickens is equal to No profit on 10,000, just loads more unpaid work for all us at the sharp end.<br> I'm just going to think about my egg boxes and not answer the phone!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/23/does-price-matter-4768952/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodfarming-organichttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/23/does-price-matter-4768952/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/21/chicken-crazy-4759814/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-09-21:/2008/09/21/chicken-crazy-4759814/Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:39:53 +0200 <p>This week the Organic Chicken market has exploded into action. Our biggest customer is having a major promo for 1 week only and our sales have gone through the roof. This is great as we could do with the trade, but it causes loads of headaches and loads of work for poor farmer, just as the sun has finally started to shine!<br> All I am intrested in is egg boxes as Waitrose wants to launch Elsa's eggs before christmas. To get nice boxes with printed label and full technicolour, we need to buy 36,000 boxes, this would be fine if we built a new barn to put them in. The latest option is slightly less boxes in beautiful organic apple green and sticking the labels on ourselves. Looks like yet another job for muggins! Then what shall we put on the label. Should it be one of the lovely photo's of Elsa and her ducks or drawings of ducks and eggs. Not being very arty i'm looking for inspiration from anyone I meet, as well patroling the supermarket aisles taking pictures of egg boxes.<br> After we have cracked the egg boxes we have then got to get the ducks to lay enough. As they are very temperamental about how many they lay and we regularly have diasters like the piglets eating all one days lay, it could be quite a challenge.<br> And then there is the packaging for the organic duck, watch out in your local supermarket for a mad red head taking photos around the meat counter! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/21/chicken-crazy-4759814/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodanimalschildrenfarminghttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/21/chicken-crazy-4759814/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/11/goodbyes-4715305/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-09-11:/2008/09/11/goodbyes-4715305/Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:05:48 +0200 <p>Today we have had electricity all day, not too much rain and even some glimpses of sun. But Our talented, musical nephew has gone home, after helping us out for a few weeks when polish workers are away. Coming to us is like a reality check to remind him just why he needs to study hard and not end up in a chicken factory. He is off to Sheffield next week to study music and we wish him loads of luck. Shame that he didn't want to stay as full time baby sitter!<br> The duck egg numbers are down today so I think they are either getting fed up with the weather or having their photo taken.Meanwhile I have such a back log of eggs to wash the back room is full. Twin 1 helped by junping in a crate of eggs and breaking them all over the place. unfortunately it was the clean ones, so not much nearer to filling tomorrows order. I think i shall buy an egg washer. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/11/goodbyes-4715305/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>animalschildenfarmingfoodhttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/11/goodbyes-4715305/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/10/crazy-day-4710563/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-09-10:/2008/09/10/crazy-day-4710563/Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:33:22 +0200 <p>A few minutes ago i wrote a long blog about what a crazy day, mainly due to losing the electricity supply and a visit by a journalist from the mail on sunday. Following the theme of everything going wrong the whole lot got wiped off, so now you will never know what happened today. At least now all is quiet and peace reigns at Higher Fingle Farm. But it's raining again. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/10/crazy-day-4710563/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/10/crazy-day-4710563/#commentshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/we-are-champions-4695654/tag:higherfingle.blog.co.uk,2008-09-07:/2008/09/07/we-are-champions-4695654/Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:28:24 +0200 <p>What a fantastic day!! At last we have won the Waitrose/country living Made in Britain Award for Higher Fingle farm Organic Duck and Elsa's Organic Duck eggs!<br> At a very muddy Burghley we were presented with this amazing award. My Beautiful 10 year old who has been the inspiration behind the duck eggs handled all the attention with such style, unlike me. I was the one jumping up and down and very overexcited.<br> Supplying Waitrose has always been one of the things on my list of achievements, i'm so happy!!<br> <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7601723.stm"></p> <p>Loads more info on this link!<br> </a><br> To make Friday even better our planning application for our farm and rural education centre has finally been approved by the National parks, i can't wait to get it built now and start to make a real difference! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/we-are-champions-4695654/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>foodfarmingchildrenanimalshttp://higherfingle.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/we-are-champions-4695654/#comments