Communal living / cohousing

Lincolnshire

9 reviews • Updated 2 years ago

Our farm is one of the UK's largest bio-dynamic farms in the UK in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Established in 2008 fully certified organic and bio-dynamic. We grow a variety of crops such as Spelt, Barley, Rye, Clary Sage, Field Beans, Linseed, Lavender, Marigolds, Poppies, Roses, Sunflowers. We have an established greenhouse to grow fruit and vegetables for our residential centre 7 miles away in Tetford. For livestock we have a herd of Dexter cattle and Zwartble sheep, raised for manure and wool. Also 7 beehives. We also have a 2 hectare vineyard and orchard. There is lots to do and help us with all year round! We provide self-catering accommodation in a house in Tetford with a food allowance, you will mainly live with fellow wwoofers and other volunteers we may have, we don't offer accommodation living with the host. Shire Farm started from very humble beginnings in 1995 when we acquired 50 acres of land in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Our intent was to begin to experiment with a type of farming even more holistic and regulated than organic farming so that our company Aura-Soma Products might ensure the purity of botanical ingredients in our range of colour-care products. Since its conception over 25 years ago, Aura-Soma Products Ltd has been deeply concerned with the what-and-how of all we seed so that the fruits of our labours can help to nourish and sustain us on all levels. Biodynamic farming was a natural next step in our evolution. We have held a long-term interest in biodynamic farming, a method of agriculture which excludes the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, relying instead on the natural interdependence between all the diverse components and creatures of the farm and the humans who care for it. In a biodynamic farm, everything has a purpose and an importance to the well-being of all: the soil and its micro-organisms, the insects, the bees and birds, our rare-breed of Zwartble sheep and Dexter cattle - these are all intrinsic and vital to our successful rotations of calendula, clary sage, melissa, lavender and roses with grasses, clovers and grains such as our biodynamic spelt. This kind of farming also works with the influences of astronomical energies which guide the planting and harvesting seasons in order to optimise the whole growth cycle - much like sun brings different degrees of light and warmth in the different seasons, and the moon affects the ebb and flow of the ocean's tides and the waters of all living things Working with and learning so much from the land itself, we enjoyed abundant crop yields and achieved full Demeter certification (the regulatory agency which governs biodynamic farming) on that first 50 acres in just a few years. Then from November 2005 to January 2006, we acquired 439 acres south of Tetford just outside the village of Hagworthingham, adjacent to the land we already owned. This land had been used for conventional farming with the usual chemical applications for many years. The soil was depleted of nutrients and utterly exhausted. However, we determined to convert it into a fully-functioning biodynamic farm with Demeter certification within three years. Working together with enthusiasm, care and persistence - we did it! We have seen in our adventure with biodynamic farming how much the earth responds to our care. How much greater, more nutritious, beautiful and alive the yield of our harvests are when we continually feed back into the soil the nutrients that are native and natural to it. And in turn, as the yield of this healthy and happy soil is ingested by we who have cared for it, we too are fed at every level of our being. And so the cycle of collaboration and mutual care continues to a higher and higher vibration that accumulates exponentially with time and the resiliency of life season after season. Today Shire Farm encompasses over 500 acres of incredible biodynamic farmland and tree reforestation. Here is where plants and herbs are grown that contribute to all our ventures aimed at nurturing and supporting individual and planetary well-being at every level - the Aura-Soma Colour-Care-System®, our organic skincare line AEOS, our premium fragrance range Pegasus, and in the kitchens of Dev Aura, our residential training centre for colour education. The most energy-efficient systems in the world are those that replenish what is depleted, with long-term quality of life for all concerned governing the methods. Long before going green became popular, we fostered philosophies, practices and products the concept of reciprocal maintenance - the idea that we are here to care for each other, to be aware of the impact our means and methods have upon the world, and to know that if each of us acts with integrity and consciousness toward ourselves and the other, together we can all thrive. Certifications: Demeter Internet access available

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Forestry

Host type

Production farm

Certified organic

222.6 Hectares | 550 Acres

Accommodation

3 WWOOFers

Bedroom

Children not accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Omnivore

Length of stay

1-2 weeks

3-4 weeks

Vanessa

Member since 2014

Languages spoken: English Response rate: 93% Response time: typically within 3 days

November 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

Lincolnshire

We are situated on the south side of the A158 between Horncastle and Hagworthingham. The A158 runs east to west from Lincoln to Skegness. It can be reached via the A1 the A46. If travelling by train the nearest station to us is Lincoln central, then a b

Reviews

Simon

France • November 2024

I spent two weeks at Shire Farm with Joe, who was very welcoming and supportive throughout the experience. The accommodation was comfortable, and everyone was kind and easy to get along with. The work was meaningful, and I appreciated having free time to relax as well. Overall, it was a very good experience, and I’m glad I did it !

Anastasia

United Kingdom • September 2024

WWOOfing at the Shire farm has been an unforgettable experience! Joe has been a wonderful mentor during my stay – I will never forget our conversations on biodynamic farming each day in the truck on the way to the farm, and all the amazing literature I got introduced to. Had lots of fun working at the vineyards, apple orchards, and getting to meet all the great people who work at Aura Soma, and make Shire farm such a positive place to stay at. The best part was learning how to apply the biodynamic preparation theory to practice – and it was such an honour to have been taught by Joe. The accommodation – hope cottage – I was staying at was spacious, and very comfortable. I look forward to coming back again in the future!

Vlastimil

Czechia • October 2023

Wwoofing here was a wonderful experience. All the people I met there were very kind. Especially Joe who accompanied and helped us. Thank you Joe!!! The accommodation exceeded my expectations. Staying and working on the Shire farm met my expectation. Thank you!

Camila

Spain • August 2023

Our experience at Shire Farm was beautiful. The accommodation was big, comfortable and warm. We worked Monday to Friday mornings in vineyards, apple trees and other pleasant jobs. Joe is a good, understanding and smart person that taught us a lot. He took us to the beach, Tetford’s pub and other cool places in our free time. Also the people that works with Aura Soma was so nice! Hope to come back someday

Simon

United Kingdom • April 2023

Spent a couple of great months at Shire Farm. Worked mainly on biodynamic preparations, orchard work and soft fruit pruning, mulching and composting plus some other tasks in the glasshouse and round the farm. Joe is the main point of contact for wwoofers and is a top guy to work with, knowledgeable and easy going - plus the rest of the Aura Soma and Shire Farm crew were a good lot, welcoming and friendly. The accommodation is brilliant, lovely warm cottage to share with other wwoofers or visitors. Wwoofers sort their own food out independently with a weekly cash allowance and it's a good deal. It's also in a beautiful part of the country, Lincolnshire Wolds, which felt like a bit of a hidden gem. Definitely recommend a placement here. Many thanks :)

Victoria

United Kingdom • March 2023

Shire farm is a really cool place to work. Joe is absolutely amazing and so knowledgeable about gardening, biodynamics, regenerative agriculture and so much more! I've met some really beautiful and interesting people during my stay and have enjoyed the entire experience.