Virtual farm becomes reality for MyFarm farmer

On Saturday Farmer Apples (aka Claire Button) helped out at MyFarm - the farm at the centre of the National Trust’s MyFarm experiment. This was the first time a member of the online community has physically worked on the farm.

Launched by the National Trust earlier this year it allows members to learn all about a real farm (Wimpole Home Farm near Royston in Cambridgeshire) virtually via regular blogs, short films and online discussions on every aspect of farm life. They then take part in regular votes making key decisions to shape the future of the farm.

Farmer Apples - Claire, 39, from near Cambridge - joined the project back in May, shortly after launch, and was one of many ’MyFarmers’ who put their name into a hat to be drawn for a stint of work at the 1,200 acre farm.

Under the watchful eye of Stockman Mark Field she did a full morning’s work including mucking out and feeding the rare breed British Lop, Tamworth and Gloucester Old Spot pigs.

Claire said: "I really enjoyed seeing the farm and all the animals firsthand and got a real sense of the size of the farm.

"I have three young children aged six, eight and 10 and together we decide how to vote when decisions are put out to the community. MyFarm has been a great way to get them involved with farming and understanding where their food comes from and how animals are cared for."

Anyone can join MyFarm. For just £30 MyFarm ’farmers’ can experience day-to-day farm life and vote on major decisions about the farm’s future.

Majority rules - what members vote for really happens on the farm. They also learn all about breeding and rearing farm animals, sowing and harvesting crops and dealing with all the everyday dramas of life on a farm.

There’s fun to be had along the way too from a horn-mounted ’ram cam’ to visits by the famous Shaun the Sheep.

Membership also includes a free family visit to the farm for two adults and up to three children.