Open Farm Sunday at The Real Milk Company

For the last few years, we have made a special effort to visit local farms for Open Farm Sunday, not only is a it a great way for the children to see what a real farm is like but it is also a great way to support British farmers.

This year we headed up to our local dairy farm, The Real Milk Company. They are a fabulous family run farm based in Halam, Nottinghamshire and with a strong heard of Montbéliarde cows, they are GM Free and are currently converting to being an organic farm.

With tractors on show from local farms, local ice cream from Thaymar Ice Cream and bread from Hambleton Bakery there was plenty to do whilst you waited for a tractor ride. 

I think it is safe to say that everyone loves a tractor ride, so we hopped into the trailer for the short trip up to the main farm, whilst we were on the tractor, we were given a quiz to complete which we could hand in at the end of the tour for a prize.

Once at the top, we were greeted by some cows which had been kept in for the day, as well as some of the mama cows who had just given birth or were waiting to give birth. Including the rather beautiful cow which graces The Real Milk Company's logo.

Since I have spoken about The Real Milk Company a lot over on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, the farmer Ian said hello, it was nice he recognised me and we got chatting about the farm, what is happening with the organic certification and all about the cows and farm life surrounding them. It was fascinating to hear all about them and how they spend their day, as well as some other interesting facts such as, the tanker driver is the one who checks if the milk is ok, he lifts the lid and makes sure it doesn't smell off.

We also got talking about the price of milk in supermarkets and the very small amount farmers are given per litre, on average they get 19p a litre, 19p! It is heartbreaking considering the hard work and dedication the farmers go through to produce this yummy white stuff, but for Ian, his son Tom and their family, they continue to farm as their family have done for years before them.

After we had chatted for a while, we headed round the rest of the farm, there was a tanker which allowed us to see how the milk is transported as well as lots more calves which I think you'll agree are just the cutest.

We had a milkshake made with the farms milk and since we already drink it, I knew it would be amazing and it was. After some hale bale climbing fun, we decided to walk back down to the car rather than get the tractor back. It was such a lovely day it seemed a shame not too and it meant we got to get up close and personal with the cows themselves.

Most of them were more than happy if not eager to have their photo taken and they are just such a beautiful animal that it was a pleasure to do that.

When we got back to the beginning we answered the final few questions and the children got their goody bags from the kind people at Arla.

Did you visit any farms for Open Farm Sunday this year? I'd love to see your story if you did.

The Real Milk Company - A New Way to Get Milk

Since my son has started his Stagecoach classes in Southwell, we have been driving through the beautiful Nottingham countryside on a regular basis. For the first time a few weeks ago, I saw a sign at the side of the road for The Real Milk Company.

A little investigation when I got home lead to finding out about a wonderful new venture just a few miles from my doorstep that would change my milk buying forever.

In a small wooden shed at the end of the farm drive is a milk vending machine, with steam coming out of it like some magical tardis, it delivers to you fresh whole milk that tastes exactly like milk should. I know lots of people drink semi-skimmed or skimmed so this may not be for them but we only drink whole milk, it's great for cereal and for hot chocolate and the odd latte I have these days.

Anyway, back to the vending machine. First of all you choose how much milk you want, you can get 1 litre or 2 litre plastic bottles, they even do a 1 litre glass bottle, which you can wash at home and bring back next time.

You then pop your money into the machine, your bottle in the machine under the spout and press the button, the milk then comes out and fills the bottle with the requisite amount.

Once you have finished you close the little door and a puff of steam comes out to clean the machine, ready for the next customer, and indeed there were plenty of customers, in fact two people visited whilst we were there, walking to get there milk. It sent me back to the day of the milk man, when milk was delivered to your door and was fresh.

If you are local to Nottingham then I suggest you seek out this wonderful little farm, you get to go and visit a beautiful slice of countryside support a local farmer and business.

How about a visit to Rufford Abbey and a little stop off on the way back, or in June this year as part of Open Farm Sunday The Real Milk Company will be opening their doors to show you the farm and what they have to offer. We will be heading up there to see the cows on the farm and to buy some milk of course, as well as heading to some of the other local farms as part of this wonderful day out. We've been for the past few years  it is such a great day out and a glimpse§ into an important part of our farming heritage and lives in this country.

Milk from the farm is £1 for a litre and £2 for 2 litres.