Archived News

3rd May 2009

Our farm sometimes feels like an International agricultural hub!

It is almost ten years since Matthew Jellie from Australia and Seamus Kenny from Kilkenny, Ireland, found their way around the fields during harvest. The summer of 2007 saw Casper Rossouw working long and hard here to support his farm back in South Africa; we always remember the day Casper was corn-carting from Normandy (near Guildford, not France) back to Wotton and he called Laurence for directions - he was lost and driving the tractor and trailer around Guildford’s one way system!  It certainly helps to have a sense of humour here and the ability to decipher some strong accents - Seamus I think you still hold the record for the broadest accent of all, with your wonderful Irish lilt!

Meeting and working with other Nationalities, broadens knowledge and understanding of agriculture and cultures around the World and can be the start of life-long friendships. 

Willem Jan Oosterhuis, contacted Laurence early in the year and asked whether we might have a few months work for him on the farm before he returns home to the Netherlands.  William, as we call him, seems to fit in well with everyone here and has been quick to grasp the work required of him over the last four weeks, getting stuck into every task with enthusiasm: bedding up cattle, hedge planting, muck-spreading, checking cattle, sub-soiling and ploughing. 

William returns to the Netherlands in the summer to work for a previous employer, Kruize Flower Bulbs. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering I am not surprised that they have asked William back to be responsible for the whole process of planting, growing, mowing, digging, transporting and processing the flower bulbs.                                     

                                Axel Baarman and Willem Jan Oosterhuis

Axel Baarman from Finland, has just started to work here as an Agriventure trainee and it is our first time as a host farm for Agriventure.

Agriventure is run by the International Agricultural Exchange Association which was formed in 1965, helping over 30,000 young people to find a rural placement abroad, to experience real life in another country rather than just as a tourist.

This will be Axel’s final work experience placement before he returns to Finland to complete his University course in Applied Sciences, specialising in crop production, forestry and farm economics.

We hope that our International work-force gain some useful experience at Manor Farm and if they learn how to understand the regional accents of East and West Scotland, Hampshire, Surrey and Twickenham, then they are doing really well!

Willem Jan ploughing sandy soil at Coast Hill