Poppies Farm Hurst | Care Farming, School Visits & Family Walks

Safe &
Inspiring Environment

Nestled in the heart of Wokingham, Berkshire, Poppies Farm is a family-run traditional farm where wellbeing and education are at the forefront of what they do.

Run by Steve and Jo Robertson, the farm has been in Jo's family since 1972 where her mum and dad raised pigs, cows and Shire horses. Since 2005, the farm is home to a happy mix of Rare and Minority British breeds.

At Poppies Farm, we believe farming should nourish both body and mind. Jo has spent over 30 years working with children and animals, and since 2018, she’s shared her passion for nature and nurture through farm-based education and therapeutic sessions local children and adults.

Whether you’re joining us for a therapeutic session, a family farm walk, or to enjoy our farm reared produce, every part of Poppies Farm is rooted in care, community, and connection to the land.

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Our Services

We are a traditional family farm, producing beef, pork, lamb and chicken. All our animals are reared using tradional methods with modern ideals. Our produce is available for purchase through the butchers shop at the bottom of this page.

At Poppies Farm, we offer therapeutic farm sessions for children and young people within or outside education. Whilst at Poppies Farm, you will learn all aspects of everyday farming life through hands on activities, our groups are small with up to 5 people matched cohorts. We have found that young people who may be struggling with everyday life pressures, SEMH, ASD, ADHD and EBSA thrive in this environment.

We support young people through eduction using the City & Guilds vocational courses in animal care. These courses are competence based and assessed in the work place qualifications that are designed to build confidence and expertise in a non-classroom based environment.

Prices to
suit every
budget

Farm Reared Beef,
Lamb, Pork & Chicken

At Poppies Farm, we’re proud to produce high-quality, high-welfare meat from our native British breeds - including Dexter, British White, Hereford cattle, Herdwick , Soay, Boreray and North Ronaldsay sheep, and British Lop and Berkshire pigs. We have also crossed our Dexter cows with Wagyu to produce some intensely marbled larger beef cuts.

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Education

Poppies Farm proudly supports local schools, councils and parents whose children may be between settings, through hands-on learning in a real farm environment.

We also support young people and adults aged 16+ who may be NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), helping them gain practical experience, build confidence, and develop skills within a land-based environment.

We offer City & Guilds qualifications for learners aged 9years+, through land based Entry Level 2, Level 1 and Level 2 Animal Care, and Construction qualifications.

In partnership with Frampton Farm in Kent we provide a unique opportunity to achieve recognised qualifications in a supportive, non-traditional educational setting in Berkshire.

Therapeutic & SEND Sessions

Poppies Farm provides a safe, welcoming and inspiring environment for children and young adults of all abilities. We support individuals with SEND, SEMH and EBSA needs, as well as those with EHCPs, those currently in education, and those who are between educational settings or accessing alternative provision. No formal diagnosis is required to attend.

Working in small groups, participants become part of daily farm life, helping with tasks such as feeding animals, mucking out, preparing enrichment activities and caring for the farm environment.

Through meaningful, hands-on experiences with our animals, we offer structured and supportive sessions that help develop confidence, communication skills, independence and emotional wellbeing. The farm provides a calm, nurturing space where young people can learn, grow and thrive at their own pace.

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Who We Work With

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Family of Farmers

Poppies Farm has been in the family since 1972. It was part of a much larger farm owned by Jo’s father. When the original farm sold in 1988 Poppies Farm land was retained by the family and Poppies Farm was born!

Steve

Farmer Steve is a builder by trade, has built our farm infrastructure and as you will see it is still growing! In his tractor he is his happiest keeping the balance between nature and farming ensuring that the grass is grown to feed next years animals and sustain the delicate balance of making hay and
grazing animals.

Jo

Jo runs the day-to-day care of the animals and leads our SEND and wellness sessions. With decades of experience teaching and working with children and animals, she brings heart, patience, and purpose to everything we do.

Lilli

Farmer Lilli is the farms right hand! Still attending Berkshire College of Agriculture, Lilli helps out with all aspects of farm life when she can. She has her own flock of North Ronaldsay Sheep and is very involved in the Lambing season. In the haymaking season Lilli is invaluable, driving the tractors, trailers and telehandler, a real farmer’s daughter.

Gemma

Our most recent recruit, joining the team in 2025. Gemma brings calm and focus to our every day. She is in charge of the day to day animal care along with Farmer Jo. She is also involved in the sessions along with Farmer Lilli. Having recently taken her Tractor tests, she will become Steve's right hand woman in the fields next summer!

Anna

Following on in Lilli's footsteps, Anna joined the family in January 2023. She very quickly became key in the Herdwick breeding programme and on the showing scene. In the Summer months, Lilli and Anna are out and about with the show sheep most weekends earning trophies and rosettes for their endeavours.

George

George brings a business mind to the family operation, balancing his university studies with helping on the farm.

Farm Visits Available

Select farm visits are now available for School Term Holidays

Farm Walks are available at Summer 2026:

Thursdays: 10:30am-12:30pm
Saturdays: 10:30am-12:30pm (FULLY BOOKED)

ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED

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What Customers
Say About Us

Being at Poppies Farm has given me so much experience and has opened me up to a new world of farming. It has showed me that it was is definitely not for the weak, but you and Steve have shown me that it's possible and what a beautiful farm you have made. You've given me new friendships with Ed, Emily, Lily, Luke and Emmy, which i'm very very grateful for! I'll never forget my time on the farm or the organised chaos of the children. I'll definitely be back! Lots of Love,

Daisy

Thank you for running the farm and letting us all be part of it! It has helped me to be happier, trust people more, and helped me look after my pets as well! Wednesdays are the day I look forward to the most! And I love being part of something where I can make friends and really help out.

George

I will Miss you So much! The farm has been such a safe space for me and I have grown so much because of it. I have enjoyed spending time with you and everyone else at the farm so much and l would like to thank you for that.

Scarlett

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and the whole team! I honestly cannot get over how far George has come since starting at poppies farm! Before George joined, they barely left their room and had no contact outside of the house! Now they have made a friend (well predicted) and formed connections with peers and adults! George looks forward to their Wednesday all week and jabbers away all the way home! I cannot tell you how happy and emotional it makes me to watch that! I have my George back! What you do is amazing, I know it can't be easy but what a phenomenal thing to do and what a huge difference you make for so many families. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! See you in September! Love fay+ family,

Fay

Thank you all so much for everything you have done for Chester. Although his time with you has sadly come to an end, his time with you when he needed you the most was so important, and we're very grateful. You've got on amazing facility a Pappies farm that really helps children struggling at school. Long May it continue, and good luck for the future

Andy + Cherry