“STEWARDS of the countryside” are working together to help the community and address the damage brought by Storm Ciarán, which is likely to have a “long-lasting impact” on farmers and smallholders, according to the owner of a farm in St Martin.
Justin Le Gresley, of Anneville Farm, said his business had suffered “sustained” damage to crops such as sprouts and purple potatoes, as well as to its polytunnels.
He added that the farming community had joined forces, as “stewards of the countryside”, to help vulnerable neighbours regain access to roads by removing fallen trees using tractors and trailers.
Jersey Farmers Union secretary Jane Rueb said farmers had been working since Thursday morning to “clear roads and make the Island accessible for everyone”.
During the storm, Brooklands Farm shop was flooded and lost three pig houses, a few trees and a barn roof.
Kate Hackett, daughter of the business’s owner, Jon Hackett, said: “We have a traumatised daddy pig called Trotter, who sat out in it all night long with no house. But he has made a full recovery now, bless him, and he has a new home thanks to other farmers coming to help me.”
Master Farms, in Grouville, faced similar challenges with flooding, fallen trees and structural damage, including damage to their cow shed roof.
Co-owner Philip Le Maistre said he had “never seen so many trees down” in his lifetime.
He explained that the community had come together to ensure the cows were milked on time and to clear roads for Jersey Dairy.
“This shows how the farming community get together and helps out when times are tough, and how valuable farming is to the Island,” Mr Le Maistre said.
Fortunately, all their livestock remained safe during the storm, as they had “filled every shed with animals” overnight.
Hamptonne Farm “survived the storm” with its three chickens staying safe and structures intact – despite a chicken house moving six inches across its field due to the wind.
Allan McCaffrey, from Happy Hens in Grouville, was less fortunate. He lost one hen and experienced significant damage to their coops.
“My staff are currently making safe the units and trying to repair what is fixable,” he added.
Smallholder Oliver Griggs reported that his farm in St John had fared well during his “first-ever storm”. He protected his produce with nets and “carried on as usual”.
Mr Griggs confirmed yesterday that his crops were unharmed, despite some structural damage and fallen branches, which he quickly cleared from the road.
Beekeepers, including Lucy Scott, had to secure hives using makeshift stakes.
Elise Stubbs, from Jersey Flower Farm, took precautions by securing her polytunnel doors and picking her remaining flowers before the storm. She said: “We consider ourselves very lucky compared to other areas.”
