Sally Bendall

Sally Bendall is a farming phenomenon. She is a farmer, a retailer, an educator, an environmentalist, a producer and a successful business woman. Together with her husband, Robert, they have built a flourishing farm business at Hollow Trees Farm, near Ipswich, employing around 50 people. Sally and Robert are also members of LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), an organisation which promotes environmentally responsible farming, and the organisation behind Open Farm Sunday which is held on the 13th June.

Hollow Trees Farm is testimony to the success of a variety of LEAF practices all designed to protect wildlife. These include six metre strips that have been left, largely uncut around fields, and hedgerows to provide a safe harbour for wildlife.  A buffer zone is left around ponds to protect frogs, newts, wild ducks and birds. Areas are planted with a mix of different bird seed so that there is food for wild birds in the winter months and nectar and pollen-rich plants are grown in the summer, to attract butterflies and bees.

Hollow Trees Farm has a farm shop with a café that stocks and serves local produce, and a popular farm trail which connects visitors with their senses and the countryside around them. It is also a home for countless wildlife from owls to deer and of course a working farm. As you wander through the meadows and the livestock barn, you can see (and smell!) the farm’s goats, sheep, cows and free range chickens foraging for food. There is a willow den for gathering your thoughts and plenty of places to soak up the stunning Suffolk countryside whilst listening to the birds.

As a LEAF farmer, not only is Sally committed to producing good food with care for the environment, but she is equally as serious about her role as an educator, a role that probably gives her the greatest satisfaction. For Sally nothing quite beats the look of wonderment on children’s faces when they see something for the first time – be it a day old chick or a cow being milked.

For a great day out and to find out more about how your food is produced and the countryside around you cared for, visit Sally and Robert at Hollow Trees Farm on the 13th June for Open Farm Sunday 2010.

To arrange a visit to Hollow Trees Farm or an interview with Sally contact:
Naomi Barry or Amanda Wadlow
Open Farm Sunday Press Office   
T: 01189 475956 M : 07920 098498                
E: naomi.barry@ceres-pr.co.uk / amanda.wadlow@ceres-pr.co.uk
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