A Local Farming Hero

Sally Bendall is a farming phenomenon. Sally 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 farming business at Hollow Trees Farm near Ipswich, employing around 50 people. Hollow Trees is now a farm shop with café - that stock and serve local produce, an increasingly popular farm trail, a home for countless wildlife from owls to deer and of course a working farm.

AsLEAF farmers, Sally and Robert are committed to farming in a sustainable manner using the best of modern technology with the best traditional practices. This means that theywork in harmony with nature to protect the countryside and its wildlife whilst producing safe, wholesome and affordable food for us all to enjoy.

Hollow Trees 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.

The Hollow Trees farm trail really connects visitors with their senses and the countryside around them. 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.

Sally loves her job (all of them!) but it is her role as an educator 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.

Sally and Robert will be opening the gates of Hollow Trees Farm for theirfourth Open Farm Sunday on 7 June 2009 – offering a fantastic opportunity for visitors to discover at first hand the story behind their food and its link with nature.

- Ends -

To arrange a visit to Hollow Trees Farm or an interview with Sally contact:

Naomi BarryAmanda Wadlow

Open Farm Sunday Press Office Open Farm Sunday Press Office

T: 01189 475956M: 07920 098498 T: 01189 475956

E: :

Editors’ notes

  • LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) is a national charity that helps farmers produce good quality food with care for the environment, whilst working with their local community
  • The forth annual Open Farm Sunday on 7June provides a great opportunity for the public to get a behind-the-scenes look at life on a farm and the nature it sustains