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Brookfield Farm Spring 2018 Newsletter

Brookfield Farm Spring 2018 Newsletter-Brookfield Farm
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Brookfield Farm + Hiveshare News Spring 2018

Welcome to your Brookfield Farm + Spring Hiveshare newsletter. (OOPS, should have sent this newsletter out before now, summer update is coming soon!)

Remember the snow in March? Well click here for hives covered in snow...

Spring weather has finally got to us, we are starting to see signs of the season change in woodland flowers and our bees starting to move out of the hive. It's still a little cold for a hive inspection, but we have been hanging around the hives observing our lovely bees bringing in pollen for the baby bees. 

March can be a very difficult month for bees, with very little food and flowers for them, and with the late spring, it's looking like April will be a tough month too. But the blackthorn blossom is emerging, pussy willow is out, and some important flowers are starting to emerge. Do leave those dandelions to flower please! Bees rely on them for early nectar and pollen.

We mentioned last newsletter about our (nearly) famous Honey Celebration and we will settle soon on a weekend in August 2018. I know it's ages away, but do think about a visit to our beautiful farm, delicious honey themed food, farm walks, beekeeping and honey talks, and fun kids activities. What date in August suits you best? Let us know and we'll work around your preferences as much as possible! We can't wait to welcome you to Brookfield Farm for a wonderful day out for you and family. Look out for the booking link and more Honey Celebration details in our next newsletter. Hivesharers go free, everyone else €5, and kids go free.

Hiveshare 2018 runs from November 2017, and Hiveshare Cert no. 1279 and higher. Any questions on Hiveshare and how it works? We're delighted to answer, just have a look at our FAQ or email ailbhe@brookfield.farm

Did you see this  very pretty short film on Brookfield Farm landscape and produce? Film by ben.ie, lovely photos by nathalie.ie. First commissioned by Image Interiors and Living Magazine.

Lots more fun bee facts and great farm photos on facebook and Instagram- like our page to get them!

 

Brookfield Farm back to school! 

Ailbhe is heading to her school reunion - here is a nice article about her school days.

And recently Ailbhe was honoured to be selected to present to FAO Africa on farm diversification and female led farms at the Dept. Agriculture headquarters in Dublin. Read about it here

Easter lambs

A gorgeous lamb, with a nice view of Lough Derg behind. These lambs are enjoying playing in the spring sunshine.

 
 

Bees in Spring

The bees are gearing up after the winter and and are starting to collect nectar and pollen from spring blossoms right now. Did you know that pollen is the protein for baby bees? The forager bees bring bright coloured pollen back to the hive nursery in special 'baskets' on their legs.

We normally check each hive at this stage to see how each colony got through the winter. But the cold and wet March and April was hard on the bees and we don't want to open the hives and chill their brood. We will wait a little for inspections, then look to see how much honey store is left, and how the brood is developing. Most colonies are doing very well and producing lots of baby bees.

 
 
 

Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship 

Ailbhe finished her report on farms selling direct to consumers. It is now published on the Nuffield website. Here it is for anyone who is looking 

Very glad that work is finished - now on to incorporating the research information into Brookfield Farm.

 
 

Bees and Wild flower meadows 

We were really pleased with our wildflower meadows  sown on the farm last year. They were alive with butterflies, bees and insect eating birds last summer.

We are preparing to sow around 11 acres of wildflowers again. They should be in full bloom for the Honey Celebration Day! A gorgeous sight. Will Brookfield Farm be Ireland's biggest flower garden? We hope so!

 
 

Brookfield Farm lamb 

We have 5 lambs now ready,  to be delivered to your door. Delicious, convenient and nutritious meals and with a time limited price drop for newsletter subscribers. Whole lamb now €195/ half lamb €100 (+ delivery €15 per order). 

And we have an added bonus! Order lamb this week...and we'll throw in a pair of our famous dinner candles (worth €18). 

Lamb deposit
 
 

Competition for Bloom!

The Design Council of Ireland have selected Brookfield Farm Hivegifts for a stall in their special area at Ireland's biggest garden festival Bloom. We are delighted! Thank you to DCCOI, we'll be running candle making demonstrations and show specials to celebrate.

Drop by to say hi - the Design Ireland area June Bank Holiday weekend to 4th June 2018 Phoenix Park, Dublin. bloominthepark.com/

 

 

 
 

Handmade pure beeswax candles

We love making our natural candles - pure beeswax hand poured and hand dipped candles. Have a look at our range! Great presents.

We want to hear from you!

Do let us know how you are enjoying Hiveshare and our newsletters. We'd be delighted to hear your comments - emailor phone and we're thrilled to chat. 

 
 
Brookfield Farm
Coolbawn, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
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