MMB: Soil to Sourdough Update

MMB: Soil to Sourdough

September 2021

Hello
 
I'm happy to at last have a moment to write with an update from the Soil to Sourdough crowdfunding fields at Duchess Farms. This time Abi (who some of you met at the farm visits) has written an update for us, so I will hand you over to her!

September has come, and the seasons are starting to turn with a bit more of that wet stuff from the sky and a little more nip in the mornings. To be honest we didn't have so much of a summer this year but we were lucky at harvest with some hot days, thankfully. The later it got in the season the rainier the mornings became and the heavier the dews, but we got there in the end. 
 
The MMB fields were good ones, averaging about 1 tonne per acre (our estimate for heritage grains), and really was an easy-to-do crop all through the year. We did have a bit of brome grass in there, but our crowdfunded grain cleaner 'Dennis' sorted that right out.

The MMB fields were split half into 'Lys Brun', a delicious Danish wheat, and half into 'Miller's Choice', a UK population with some Spanish lines (developed by the amazing Andy Forbes at Brockwell Bake).
 
Although the season is now drawing to a close, the fun doesn't end and the work hasn't stopped. Excitingly the mill got commissioned a couple of weeks ago meaning we could  finally start milling! A year after the crowdfunding all happened it has finaly come together, so thank you so much for all your support in getting us here.
 
We can't wait to show you the mill pictures and videos, and this season's harvest.
 
Thanks a mill,
 
Abi and the Duchess Farms team x

I spoke to Abi just this morning and she has confirmed that they hope to get 'our' flour over to us by the end of October, ready for you to collect your bags to take home together with a loaf of the 2021 MMB heritage grains sourdough. Bit of a pinch me moment. I'm so proud of us all! I'll be in touch when we've taken receipt.
 
Megan