Interview with Poultry Farmer – Tim Gelfs, Westleaze Farm, Beaminster

  An interview with ‘Chicken Tim’ – as Tim is locally known How long have you been a poultry farmer and why? I’ve been a poultry farmer now for sixteen years.   Our family farm, Westleaze, is relatively small,  keeping hens and becoming an egg farmer was the best way for … Read more

Careers Day at Sir John Colfox Academy

The Discover Farming Careers team attended The Sir John’ Colfox’s Academy Careers Day in October.  The day was considered to be a great success by all involved. Reflecting on the day the Melplash Agricultural Society’s Vice Chairman, James Bowditch said: “The opportunity to talk to 800 secondary school children within … Read more

Expert Day at the Discover Farming Classroom – Wednesday 1st October 2025

Expert day – Hands-on learning brings farming to life for local pupils. The Discover Farming Expert Day marks the new school year for the classroom at Washingpool Farm and this year was no exception. The Discover Farming classroom was buzzing with excitement as pupils from Broadwindsor and Symondsbury Primary schools … Read more

Discover Farming ‘Expert’ Day 2025

The next Discover Farming ‘Expert Day’ at Washingpool Farm is to be held on Wednesday 1 October.  Sixty children in year 5/6 will be attending from Symondsbury and Broadwindsor Primary Schools. The ‘Experts’ on the day will be: Ilaria Padovani from Mercato Italiano:  making pasta and pumpkin ravioli using pumpkins … Read more

Discover Farming is celebrating 10 years!

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Melplash Agricultural Society’s education programme – Discover Farming The Melplash Agricultural Society is celebrating making a positive contribution to young people through our educational programme – Discover Farming. A core objective of the Society is to educate and promote agriculture through community involvement.  … Read more

Discover Farming 500 Farming Words Competition

Open to all young people 16 years and under  who who live in the local area, 12 miles from Melplash Village Church CASH PRIZES AND PRESENTATION IN THE NEW YEAR Got something to say about farming? Locally? Nationally? Globally? THE BIG QUESTION WE WANT ALL ENTRANTS TO ANSWER IS: Why is … Read more

Melplash Show – Thursday 21 August

The Melplash Show celebrates rural life by the sea in West Dorset with farming, horticultural and homecraft, regional food and drink, shopping and an eclectic mix of breathtaking entertainment. It is FREE to attend for all 16 years and under Watch local farmers and their handlers showing their finest livestock … Read more

Celebrating Farming and the Countryside at LEAF Open Farm Sunday

The Gregory family supported by the Melplash Agricultural Society Discover Farming team and Marshwood Vale Farmers Cluster, opened their farm  gates free to the public for Open Farm Sunday. The event attracted over 1400 visitors to their  organic dairy farm at Home Farm Sadborow in Thorncombe where 360 + cows … Read more