Summer at Mount Carlees

mountcarleesfarm
Aug 8
3 min read

Updated: Aug 10

Greetings to all from everyone here at ‘One Life’…

1. The Land

As ever, the land continues to change. What it can support—and what wildlife it invites—acts as a living reminder of the broader ecological shifts happening across the globe. Climate change is no longer distant; it’s here in our fields, our hedgerows, and our seasons.

2. Grazing

A heartfelt thank you to the twenty Dexter cows who’ve been with us over the summer, busy with the essential work of conservation grazing. Their gentle presence helps us restore and care for the land in natural and sustainable ways.

3. Market Garden Project

This year saw the beginnings of a new market garden in Nursery Field—an exciting initiative that has already taken root. With thriving crops and many ideas blossoming, it’s not just about growing food, but food awareness. Alongside this, three other garden projects are flourishing, producing fresh vegetables for personal use and for Pico Rico, a deli in Helston now serving up dishes prepared with homegrown ingredients.

4. Piccolo Orto: Forest School & Summer Celebrations

Forest play, food, and festivities— summer at Piccolo Orto has been full of joy and connection…

Hello,

I wanted to share an update from Piccolo Orto, based at Mount Carlees Farm, following a very special couple of weeks for our project.

🌿 Tastes of the Garden – Event Recap

Earlier this month, we hosted our sold-out Tastes of the Garden celebration – and it truly was the most perfect day, where ‘Naughty Nonnas’ came and cooked a spectacular feast on the long table in the farm and Georgia Lewis sang for us under the tree canopy.

The sun shone, children played freely in nature, and the long table was filled with incredible food, joyful conversation, and a real sense of connection to each other and our surroundings.

Special thanks go to:

• Peter, Ronnie, and Diana, our wonderfully supportive landowners for allowing us to host this very special day.

Crowdfunder

We are now just £670 away from reaching our £10,000 Crowdfunder target, which will allow us to build vital infrastructure like a shed and campfire shelter to host more events, workshops, and community activities here at the farm. You can support the project here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/piccolo-orto-forest-school-and-market-garden

Our Forest School sessions are also now underway, linking beautifully with the learning garden. Even on a recent soggy day, spirits were high as we made hot chocolates with the Kelly kettle, started a fire with flint and steel, painted toadstools to take home, picked vegetables, made ‘courgette horns’, examined natural materials under the microscope, collected fresh hay bales for the campfire area, and ended the day listening to A Café at the Edge of the Woods. More spaces for these sessions are now bookable through our website: https://piccolo-orto.org

For enquiries or more information please contact Jenny - hello@piccolo-orto.org

5. Ollie and the Tractor

Thirteen-year-old Ollie has long been a helping hand around Mount Carlees—strimming, mowing, and always keeping things tidy. This summer, after much anticipation, he finally got the chance to take the next step: his first go on the tractor! A milestone moment for Ollie, and a proud one for all of us.

6. Open Studio

The art studio and gallery remains open to visitors and curious minds. If you’re interested in exploring the creative side of Mount Carlees, we’re always happy to welcome new enquirers.