A WORKING hill farm which opens its doors to the public has won a Green Apple Award for environmental best practice.
Joy McCarthy's Cronkshaw Fold Farm, in Alden Road, Helmshore, has been closed to the public for most of this year as a result of the foot and mouth crisis.
But now Joy decided to submit an application for a Green Apple award.
The farm has a heat exchanger made from the muck heap where cold water passes in pipes through the rotting pile of animal bedding and manure. A top temperature of 72 degrees is reached which is then used to heat the hot water system saving one-third of the farm's fuel bill.
A small home-made wind turbine is also being perfected.
Joy was delighted when her farm was selected as showing best environmental practice in the work place.
She has introduced a path to make the farm area and pond accessible for people with mobility problems. A reopening and Christmas event is planned for December 15.
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