The structure of this ethnography relies on its own visionary appeal to draw each reader into the heart of Ridlington farm, which is in a small village named Duncton within the South Downs National Park, West Sussex, England. I will begin by introducing a brief history of the tenancy at Ridlington farm, which will be followed by an explanation of the Gadd family history, which is in relation to their tenancy, followed by their ownership of the farm. It is important to understand that the historical timeline of their tenancy, followed by their proprietorship, altered the history of Ridlington farm through creating a new chapter that has been characterized by small family ownership.
Culture, and the movement of people, is also a focal point within this ethnography. Observations, which form a significant amount of primary data have been gathered from multiple interviews with members of the Gadd family and their associates (staff and current tenants of land within the farm). In addition to this, secondary data sources such as the "Leconfield Estates" (The Leconfield Estates), or "The Association of Science-Technology Centers" (ASTC) have been drawn upon to provide accurate information, and relevant scientific research that adds value to the insights that have been observed within this community. This primary and secondary data will assist you with forming a thorough understanding of the timeline at Ridlington farm, and can guide you when articulating how patterns of management ownership have helped to shape the existing site into what it is today; a working family owned farm, and a beautiful setting that the owners have built up into a more personal place in which they habit.
The tenancy at the farm from the early twentieth century onwards includes a gentleman named Ernest Connor (c.1865–c.1956) who was the tenant farmer at Ridlington farm up until 1944. Upon leaving the farm, which Ernest had rented from the Leconfield estate (a private traditional agricultural landed estate) (The Leconfield Estates), the reigns were passed to Leslie Gadd (1905–1984) (Keith Gadd's father). During an interview with Keith, he recalled an entertaining moment in the kitchen of the farmhouse on the day that his father (Leslie) took over tenancy of the farm, which was in 1944. Keith described the event: "there was a beam in the kitchen (the farmhouse kitchen) that had two meat hooks attached to it." Ernest (the departing tenant farmer), who was 79 years of age performed a summersault having been "dangling from the two meat hooks on the beam". Following the summersault, Ernest stated that "I just wanted to check I could still do that".
Keith discussed many historical aspects of day to day work at the farm, which included back breaking work such as "carrying 18 stone sacks of wheat"; "that's what we carried on our backs" (Keith). It strikes me that personal character was an important ingredient in the making of a successful family farmer, which was visible to Keith within Ernest Connor, even at 79 years of age. Whilst discussing the significance of Ernest Connor's athleticism, which included a reflection upon whether that was a general trend in farming of this type, Keith asserted "that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", which was a statement that affirmed his belief that the spirit of a hard working farmer, such as the type exhibited by Ernest Connor that day, was as a result of the "back breaking work" (Keith) that a farmer endured whilst working on the land.
Keith had been running the farm with his father (Leslie) for many years, and began to assume a more prominent role from approximately 1962 (Keith), which gradually (over 15 years approximately) evolved into a position of general management. In 1974, the Gadd family decided to purchase the farm from the owners (Leconfield estates); "the legal process began in 1974, and was completed in 1976" (Keith). The interview between Keith and myself also revealed a further pattern of activity; a similar transition of roles occurred within the farm. Gradually, and in a similar fashion to Leslie and Keith, Keith and Andy (Keith’s son) switched roles, which also took place throughout approximately 15 years; Andy is now responsible for the "general management of the farm" (Keith). Keith continues to discuss the gradual change in the overall day to day running of the farm, and comments that "Andy has very much taken the reigns, and I am his assistant". "We [Pam, Keith's wife] and Keith) keep Andy's garden tidy for him, and dog sit his black Labradors". Keith also discusses how major decisions are made, and adds that "we decide the major things together". Upon reflection, it is wonderful to see that Andy has grown up within the farm. Recollections that help illustrate this point include one memory: "at a young age, I can remember steering the combine for my father whilst he would stand up, turn around, and look into the grain whilst saying "hold the wheel boy" (Andy). It is clear that a pattern of collaboration, hard work, and determination has been striking thus far.
Further evidence that highlights their level of determination was revealed by Pam (Keith's wife, Andy's mother) during the same interview; "it took us 30 years to re-roof the buildings" (Pam). Two of the buildings that Pam describes includes the "L shaped Sussex barn", which is featured within the slideshow, and their family home, which is the renovated farmhouse that "lay derelict" for over a decade between the years 2000 and 2012 (Pam).
In addition to these traditional achievements, modern technological research has played its part in the recent history of Ridlington farm. In an article titled "Ground-breaking tests to be held tackling beetles at Duncton farm" (Midhurst and Petworth Observer), tests at Ridlington farm were discussed:
"A farm at Duncton has been chosen for trials of a pioneering technology to control damaging beetles and weevils in grain stores" (Midhurst and Petworth Observer).
Through the publication of this article, the beginning of these trials were announced by Winchester-based pest management company Exosect as “the first full scale trials of its new product at Keith Gadd's Ridlington Farm" (Midhurst and Petworth Observer). This is a clear example of forward thinking and innovation through collaboration with other community partners, which in my view, in addition to what is written above, identifies the culture at Ridlington farm as open minded in relation to decision making that has a real impact on the day to day habits of the community and beyond.
Whilst working through the background of this community's culture, other scientific research can be woven into our understanding of how this community was, and is impacting any expectations that we have regarding how purposeful and inspirational an experience like the Gadd's can be on our local, national, and international identities, and how this formula can help inspire other farmers that would like to aspire to the cultural beliefs on show at Ridlington farm.
"The Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) is a global organization providing collective voice, professional support, and programming opportunities for science centers, museums, and related institutions, whose innovative approaches to science learning inspire people of all ages about the wonders and the meaning of science in their lives". (ASTC)
An insightful blog titled "Family Farming: Feeding The World, Caring For The Earth" (Quintana and Asin) discusses points that I feel are relevant to understanding the deeper impact that the potential of the culture of Ridlington farm possesses, and how this potential helps our community and the surrounding communities live and breath. Quintana and Asin's assertions are clear from the start:
"According to current forecasts, world agricultural production will have to increase by 70% by 2050 to meet the food demands of a world population of over 9 billion. The good news is that there is no need to invent anything new to respond to this challenge; instead, we need to realize the productive potential of family farming."
Quintana and Asin make other valuable contributions to the debate by introducing further strong arguments relating to the reality of needing to feed the population of the world, and how family farming can provide other more meaningful benefits to individuals within our communities. Within the same blog, under the sub title "Family farming feeds the world", Quintana and Asin state that:
"Seventy percent of the world’s food products are produced by family farmers, whose activities are therefore crucial to combating hunger and malnutrition. In addition, small farms are often more productive than large industrial agricultural operations in terms of output per unit of land and energy use".
In response to this blog statement, Keith commented that "big industrialized farms can lose efficiency", and that "enough personal involvement and attention to detail can be given" in the case of a "family farmer or occupier".
In relation to a further sub heading: "Farming generates well being" (Quintana and Asin), Quintana and Asin introduce further explosive evidence to the debate:
"Forty percent of the world's households depend on family farming for their livelihood. Of the 3 billion rural inhabitants in developing countries, 2.5 billion belong to families working in agriculture. It is important to note that women account for almost half of developing nations' agricultural labor resources."
In response to both of these points, Keith stated that he was "not surprised". "The farmer is just surviving, not producing much to sell, just for keeping them alive". Keith also commented that "necessity" may be a contributory factor with regard to female agricultural labour resources.
Further helpful insights can be drawn from engagement with "The ASTC Member Community: Widely Diverse, Uniformly Committed!" (ASTC), which is possible through analysis of the following paper:
The 'space' (occurrences within this place) at Ridlington farm also makes one feel good in many different ways. One way is through its visual appeal. A long blue 'Fleming' grass roller, which is visible within the slideshow, who's black back wheels confused my perception of which direction this contraption moved in, caught my eye. The red and white striped warning signs that were positioned on the back of the large blue agricultural unit, which also boasted 5 foot drill bits at each of its four corners, which is also visible in the background of the 'Fleming' photo, screams out for attention. The spider-like monster of a contraption that has a large grey head which stands at the front of the barn, or the red 'Grass Manager', also visible within the slideshow, and just outside of the barn, which exerts big red hands with dangerous looking spikes for fingers, is visually captivating. In addition to this, the contrast between light colored poured concrete and broken up black rocks and colored stones that lines the gravel like surround of the barn also contributes to the contrasting visual statements that are ingrained into outside floor space.
Human activity also played its part. Whilst I was observing the research site, a white car drove past the barn into the car park by the farmhouse. The farmers assistant (Aaron) jumped into the colorful (bright green and yellow) tractor and turned on the engine. The deep loud chugging of the engine broke the silence, and an idyllic looking piece of machinery transformed itself into a mightily strong tool for use in the tough world of farming.
From the rugged nature of farming reality, to the more private activity of an owner and her equine companions, Nicki is standing in her field. I can observe Nicki from afar, from near to where Aaron’s tractor was parked. She is also working in the cold, tending to Bea, who is Nicki's Shetland pony (a horse of a small breed originating from the Islands of Shetland), and Suzie, who is a mare (a female horse). Nicki is taking special care of Bea today because she has recently (the last week) been suffering from Laminitis (inflammation of sensitive layers of tissue [laminae] inside the hoof in horses and other animals) (Nicki). Nicki explains to me that she has had to limit the duration of time that Bea has to graze because "the sugars that are found in the grass cause the inflammation" (Nicki). Nicki has also been soaking hay, which removes further sugars, which is in preparation for consumption by Bea (Nicki). Later, Keith re-affirmed Nicki's knowledge by stating that if they (the horses and ponies) consume "too much protein, they get Laminitis".
The field that we have been discussing, which Nicki rents off the Gadd family, lies on ground which possesses historical significance. (Nicki). In the interview, Keith explains that "the field has various hollows [having a hole or empty space inside] and bumps", and that "this [the field in question] is a water mellow [rich and loamy earth]". Keith continues to explain that this earth was used for "grass to fatten the lambs [a young sheep]", and that the field was "probably dug out by hand, well over 1000 tones". If we consider the time in question (1500's), it is easy to imagine how difficult that it must have been for the farmers to dig those holes, which created grazing for the lambs. This is a more extreme example of traditional farming practice pre machinery, which is something that Keith was previously discussing through examples of "back breaking work" carrying "18 stone bags of wheat". Andy (Keith's son, farm General Manager), also recalled a more recent time approximately 20 years ago, whereby if a broken or damaged piece of machinery such as a tractor or plough would need to be fixed by himself, even if he was miles from the farm, he would have to deal with it (Andy). Andy also commented on problems that couldn't be resolved: "20 years ago when I didn't have a phone, you would have a long walk home". This evidence confirmed that a farmer required the ability to be multi skilled, hard working, and resilient to the fluctuation of events within a farmers day. It was clear that examples such as the creation of this field, and the history of farming practice at Ridlington farm, identified something very particular about the work ethic of a hard working farmer; resilience is the key to survival.
In summarizing this ethnography, it is clear that the ingredients that have contributed to the evolution of community at Ridlington farm, were grown, and will continue to grow out of the collaborative nature that the Gadd family, and others before them have have nurtured over time. Pam, Keith, Andy, Aaron, and Nicki, who all possess the character that is needed to live, work, and enjoy the benefits of this community, have all successfully illustrated how one can achieve their goals at Ridlington farm; collaboratively, and in a caring fashion that moves forward with evolution through to the next phase of its existence.
Works Cited:
The Leconfield Estates. leconfieldestates.co.uk. 2016. Web. 6 Feb. 2017.
The Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). "ABOUT ASTC". astc.org. 2017. Web. 6 Feb. 2017.
Midhurst and Petworth Observer. "Ground-breaking tests to be held tackling beetles at Duncton farm". 2012. google.co.uk. Web. 6 Feb. 2017.
Quintana, Conchi, and Alejandro Asin. "Family Farming: Feeding The World, Caring For The Earth". Dimensions. 2014. astc.orgWeb. 6 Feb. 2017.