A TRACTOR made its way along a row of lavender as it was harvested at the Lordington farm in Chichester yesterday. Photographers also took delight in capturing a shot of a small Tortoiseshell butterfly resting on a sprig of the herb in the field.
Farmer Andrew Elms sold his dairy herd and looked for ways to diversify. No fertilisers or pesticides are used so the farm has become a haven for wildlife with at least 12 red listed species of birds including skylarks and barn owls, found on the land. Each summer the field is full of bumble bees and butterflies.
Four acres of Mailette lavender, a French Provençal variety, is harvested once a year to produce essential oil. The farm now offers a whole range of lavender produce from food and drink essence to toiletries and shampoo for dogs and horses.
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