The Empire Farm School
The Empire Farm School was established in 2006 by Sally and Adrian Morgan. Sally and Adrian have been smallholders for more than 15 years. They moved from their 3 acre smallholding in Hampshire to Somerset in 2004. The farm is now fullY organic and managed for rare breeds and wildlife. Sally is passionate about the environment and sustainability. She is a leading children’s author, writing non-fiction books on environmental issues. She set up the Farm School to help people gain the skills they need to make the first steps towards self-sufficiency. The courses reflect her interest in rare breeds, sustainable farming and good food. The Farm School is lucky to have a team of brilliant tutors who are equally passionate about farming and food. Marc Frederic learnt his butchery and charcuterie skills in France and Germany. He has appeared on numerous TV and Radio shows, including Britain’s Best Dish, The Hairy Bikers, Radio 4′s The Food Programme and many others. Dan Green has a farm in Dorset and is a regular at farmer’s markets in London. Vivien Lloyd makes award-winning marmalade and Tim Hamblin is a local bee-keeper. There is a range of courses including keeping chickens and pigs, butchery, sausage-making, curing and smoking, and preserving. Unlike many other courses, Sally likes to cover the food chain, from field to plate, so people on the chicken courses are shown how to slaughter, pluck and dress a chicken, while on the pig keeping course they learn how to make superb sausages. The courses take place in the newly renovated Coach House which has a butchery, teaching room with demonstration kitchen and a beautiful Walled Garden with kitchen garden, herb and cutting garden, pigs and chickens. In the nearby fields are more pigs, poultry and sheep. The Empire Farm is located in the picturesque Blackmore Valley, just south of Wincanton in Dorset. There is easy access from the A303 and A30, and within 6 minutes walk of a mainline station to London. Come and visit us soon !
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