Old Plaw Hatch Farm

4 apprentice places
Contact: Tom Ventham, Liz Charnell
Address: Old Plaw Hatch Farm, Sharpthorne , West Sussex , RH19 4JL
Tel: 01342 810652 Fax: 01342 811478
Email: info(at) plawhatchfarm.co .uk
A 200 acre (60ha) community supported farm on the edge of the Ashdown forest in West Sussex The farm aims to provide the local community with biodynamic food as well as offering an open gate to anyone interested in the farm activities.

There is a dairy herd of 45 MRI cows, some beef animals, sheep, pigs and laying hens. All the milk is either sold as raw milk in a bottle or processed in the dairy into yoghurts, creams and a variety of cheeses. A garden of approximately 15 acres produces vegetables and soft fruit. All produce is sold through the farm shop and through a milk round operating six days a week.  There are 8 full time members of the farm team and many part-time workers as well as students and apprentices. The farmland and buildings are owned by St. Anthony's Trust and the business is owned by shareholders in the local community. Whilst is is important for the farm to remain financially viable the underlying purpose is to support farm training.