This past month saw us host the very first meeting of the Offaly Organic Knowledge Transfer Group organised by Teagasc. There was a big tidy-up in the farmyard (which mummy is taking the credit for), and everything was spick and span for the guests. Daddy said about 15 organic farmers from all over Offaly visited, and the whole event went very well. He showed them the cattle and sheep, and the man from Teagasc dug a big hole in one of the fields to look at the soil profile. He was amazed that there were no stones to be found. The main topic of discussion was winter finishing of organic beef, and how best to manage the grass during the grazing season.

Just last week, the farm was the subject of a spot check from the Department of Agriculture. It was a beef, sheep and cross compliance check, and daddy only got one day’s notice. The department man arrived at half ten in the morning and was there until three o’clock. The inspection involved a detailed assessment of all the stock, making sure the ear tags and all relevant paper work were in place. Daddy was both relieved and happy that the whole process went well; apparently “The Department” isn’t such a big bad wolf after all.

In the garden, my mum continued the tidy-up, and while pulling weeds and long dead grass from under the hedges, found half a dozen of my tennis balls which have been missing since the summer…along with a Frisbee, two footballs, and three long forgotten water pistols. It’s funny what discoveries can be made in the depths of winter. As an organic farm, we have our fair share of weeds in the fields too, and during the summer months, the little outcrops of docks, nettles and thistles are quite evident. However, in the winter, the fields all look clean and smooth, as all these weeds have died down for the colder months. But unfortunately they are only sleeping, and will no doubt be back next spring, hopefully with less vigour.

About a month ago, my mum visited the Irish Horse Welfare Trust in Avoca, Co Wicklow. This centre rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes neglected or mistreated horses and ponies. This week we were pleased to be able to rehome two of them – Teddy is 13 years old and tiny, and Fergus is a two-year-old coloured cob. They seem to have settled in really well to their new home, and we all had a good laugh at them galloping around the field this morning. All except daddy, who was worried about the clods of earth that were flying up behind them.

Everywhere is getting really Christmassy, and we paid a lovely visit to Mount Briscoe Organic Farm in Daingean, Co Offaly, who had a festive craft fair. There were some lovely foods and crafts on display, and mummy bought some nice chutney and jam, two knitted hats for the girls, and nice sweet treats to kept our hunger at bay on the way home. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year. I will return in January with my next blog.

Charlie Hackett is a 13-year-old boy from Geashill in Co Offaly, where he lives with his two younger sisters Poppy and Heidi, and his younger brother George. His parents Mark and Pippa both work on the farm, produces organic beef and sheep, and along with a few horses, chickens, dogs and cats is a busy family farm. He is a first year student at Kilkenny College, and boards there during the week.

Read Charlie's letter to the Irish Farmers Journal here.