The long-awaited launch of a new farm shop has made November an exciting time at Eves Hill Farm near Reepham - the subject of our monthly "year in the life of a Norfolk farm" features.
After months of hard work and anticipation, the doors have finally swung open at the new Eves Hill Farm shop.
And it is the culmination of a long-held ambition for Norfolk farmer Jeremy Buxton and his family.
It has attracted flocks of customers seeking to buy their beef, pork and eggs direct from the farm, at Booton near Reepham.
But the shelves are also piled high with seasonal fruit and veg, baked goods, dairy products and preserves from more than 20 suppliers across the county.
So, as well as bringing a useful extra revenue to Eves Hill, the shop has also created a valuable new outlet for other Norfolk growers and food producers.
"I've always wanted to sell food directly to the public, shorten supply chains, sell our own produce and have more interaction between the public and ourselves," said Mr Buxton.
"For a business of our size, it is another diversification which could work to our benefit.
"But it is also very satisfying us to be that step in between other producers and consumers, another outlet for people to sell their wares.
"We are really excited about some of the products we have got on the shelves, like Bread Source (based in Norwich), which we feel is some of the best bread in Norfolk.
"We've got Norton's dairy (in Frettenham) supplying us with milk and cheeses. Our fresh produce is grown just down the road in Bawdeswell by Fresh Approach (based in Aylsham).
"We've got charcuterie from Marsh Pig (in Claxton, outside Norwich), cheeses from Mrs Temple (in Wighton) and the Goat Shed (in Honingham), and lots more preservatives, chutneys and meats from all over Norfolk."
The shop was initially planned to open in summer, but the date was pushed back amid the rigours of a heatwave-hit harvest season.
"Now the farm shop is open, there is a great feeling of satisfaction and pride," said Mr Buxton.
"We set ourselves a goal and although we kept pushing that goal backwards, we have now achieved it.
"It has been the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people, friends and family, my wife Kathryn, my in-laws - it has all come together and now we are watching it flourish and grow day after day."
Mr Buxton said there was a "deluge" of customers on the shop's opening day, mostly local people, but with some travelling from as far as Downham Market.
"There were never fewer than 15-20 cars in the car park," he said. "It was really busy.
"We have been really pleased at the amount of support and warmth shown by our community, and further afield, and it demonstrates that people really do appreciate good local produce, and buying it at source."
New skills
The transition from farmer to retailer means new skills need to be learned, said Mr Buxton.
"Obviously in opening a farm shop we've taken on a lot more work - keeping on top of stock is a steep learning curve for us, as is the fact that we offer fresh barista coffee," he said.
"I have never made a coffee before in my life, so working out how to make a latte or a cappuccino to customer requirements has been a learning curve as well.
"Currently, the shop is excellently manned by Kathryn and my mother-in-law Liz, and she brings a wonderful expertise as she spent the latter part of her career in the coffee business, so she is our in-house teacher on how to make good coffee."
The next project is to create an indoor space where customers can sit down to enjoy their coffee and cakes, with a full tea room planned for the spring.
Seasonal change
The shop opening coincided with a quieter period on the farm, with the changing seasons prompting a different rhythm to the working day.
"It is starting to feel a little bit more like winter now, and it is quite interesting how the daylight hours will dictate my working hours," said Mr Buxton.
"It means early finishes - I am back in the house now at half past four, which is unheard of.
"It is nice to have that time for paperwork, although that is my least favourite thing.
"For me, there are never enough hours in the day to do what I would like to do. I love my work and I always want to be outside doing as much as I can.
"But equally, by the same token, it is an opportunity to recuperate, recharge and let your body and mind have a rest."
But the work of the farm continues. One of the administrative tasks has been to finalise an application for an agro-forestry grant via Norfolk Country Council which Mr Buxton hopes will enable him to plant around 4,000 trees during the winter.
Emotional departures
This month has also seen the emotional departure of 18 cows and 16 calves, which have left the farm for a new home in Sussex.
The group of Hereford cattle was sold to make way for a new breeding programme to produce smaller Aberdeen Angus crosses better suited to the farm's grass-fed systems, and more resilient to droughts.
"It was a bit stressful leading up to the departure day, because of the practicalities of herding them up and safely getting them onto the lorry," said Mr Buxton.
"Then on the day, it was a mixture of sadness, but happiness in knowing they were going to another good home and we were contributing to the establishment of someone else's herd with stock we have raised on the farm.
"Also, a little bit of me was thinking: That's fewer mouths for me to feed and look after over the winter."
Another concern was that the animals' journey could be slowed by environmental protesters who were blocking parts of the busy M25 motorway earlier in the month.
"That was a huge concern," said Mr Buxton. "It is already a long journey for the cattle - we did everything we could before and during their journey to make them as comfortable as possible, but it was a real worry they could potentially be held up on the M25.
"Fortunately that didn't happen, they arrived in good time and were straight out onto beautiful pasture and able to get their heads down and start grazing."
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