Summer On The Farm: Our Seasonal Rhythm Explained

Here at Farm2Fork in Budleigh Salterton, summer isn’t just a season – it’s a rhythm. A steady, sunlit tempo that shapes our days and brings the landscape to life. With long daylight hours and pastures in full growth, every part of the farm – from the tiniest chick to our grazing herds – joins in this seasonal flow. It’s a time of quiet productivity, where the routines of animal care, land stewardship and biodiversity management are all deeply connected.

A typical day in midsummer starts early. The first job is with our youngest animals – the chicks in the heated brooder barn. These little ones are only a few weeks old and need careful attention: fresh bedding, feed, clean water, and checks to ensure everything is just right. It’s a gentle ritual, focused on warmth, comfort and nourishment in these crucial early stages of life.

Out on the pastures, our poultry – chickens, turkeys and geese – are living their best lives, ranging freely across organic grassland. Each day, their electric fencing and mobile shelters are moved to fresh ground, providing access to clean forage and helping to regenerate the pasture beneath their feet. Their diet is supplemented with organic grains, but they also peck, scratch and forage naturally, enjoying a diverse diet and plenty of space.

Alongside them, our guardian dogs – the loyal and watchful Maremmas – patrol the fields. They play a crucial role in keeping our flocks safe from predators, especially at night, and their calm, confident presence is part of the fabric of daily life here.

Our cattle and sheep – all 100% grass-fed – are moved daily to fresh pasture paddocks. This system of rotational grazing gives the land time to rest and recover, encouraging deep-rooted grasses, boosting soil health, and supporting pollinators and other wildlife. It also helps us produce resilient, healthy animals with access to a varied and nutritious forage diet.

We’re also busy with infrastructure work – especially fencing – and checking and maintaining water supplies across the grazing areas. These tasks support the movement of animals and protect sensitive areas, such as hedgerows and watercourses, allowing wildlife to flourish.

From dawn to dusk, there’s always something to do – but every task, whether big or small, is part of a bigger picture. Our approach to farming respects the rhythm of the seasons and puts soil health, animal welfare and biodiversity at its heart.

At Farm2Fork, summer is a time of steady growth – not just for our animals and pastures, but for the land itself. It’s a season of balance, of working with nature rather than against it. And while it’s not always easy, it’s always worth it.