Caring for the environment

How we care for the environment

For many years the Farm has been active in doing what it can to protect and improve the environment. We do not use any chemicals on the land and maintain healthy livestock by prevention rather than cure. Over the last 30 years we have planted or regenerated over 2 kilometers of wildlife friendly hedgerows, planted up field corners with shrubs and dug a new large pond all of which will encourage wildlife including foxes, badgers rabbits, weasels, buzzards bats and whole host of insects and bugs. During the last two years we have created 3 acres of ‘new’ woodland by planting over 1500 native trees.

At  Freshwinds we are committed to reducing the impact of our activities on the environment. Here are some of our objectives.     

LITTER

We don’t like it!  We aim to keep the farm as litter free as possible.  There are plenty of waste bins on the camp site and we would ask all our visitors to ensure that litter is put in the receptacles provided.

GENERAL WASTE

The waste bins on the camp site are emptied regularly. All we ask is that from the onset you minimise the amount of packaging you bring with you and then place all waste (with the exception of food waste) in the wheelie bins provided. Be assured that all waste is sorted by our waste collector and everything that can be recycled will be.

FOOD WASTE

It is extremely unpleasant for our waste collector to have to handle food waste mixed with general waste and so we insist that you do all you can to place food waste in the bin provided at the camp kitchen.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY OTHER WASTE IN THIS BIN

All food waste and compostable packaging will be composted on the farm

ENERGY

All our yurts have small solar panels in order that you can re charge your phone and have some lighting. Also throughout the camp site water is heated using propane gas. We are currently looking at ways in which we might have a source of solar power at the camp field.

TIMBER

As far as possible, fallen timber is left so that wildlife can flourish so please leave branches alone and use the firewood provided for your fire.

WATER

All the water in the showers and sinks comes off our main water supply and is safe to drink, there is no need to bring additional bottled water.

We monitor our water usage very closely.  We provide showers rather than baths for reduced water use.

COMPOST TOILETS

As you will notice all our toilets are compost toilets and whilst they might not suit that small minority we feel it is much better that our poo is recycled like anything else. At the campsite just before the season starts the toilets are cleared out and the ‘compost’ is spread on the land.

HOWEVER it is essential that only wee, poo and toilet paper be put in them as other sanitory products, nappies and wipes usually contain plastic. 

WALKS

We have devised several walking routes which you might like to try including walk to the local pub and Tea room.  Although we try to give clear instructions, people have been known to wander off the track and get lost!  If you have the OS app on your phone you will notice there are a few walks we have recorded and made public

SHOPS & LOCAL PRODUCE

We are very fortunate that when our local butcher shop closed in January a similar shop keeper took over and now supplies a range of locally sourced produce and meat for your BBQ. There are the usual shops quite close in Ore Village on the outskirts of Hastings.

CHARITIES

 Our charity is Farm Africa and we have been supporting their work for over 30 years. This year the popup campsite raised over £1000 for the charity.

We opened the fairy trail to the general public during Easter 2021 and raised over £700 for St Michaels Hospice. The Donkeys attended Rye Show and sold cuddles and raised over £250 for the Hospice. They also attended Pett Flower show and raised over £50.

Thank You.

Anne and Tim