0:00:02 > 0:00:03SHEEP BLEAT
0:00:03 > 0:00:06# Come join us down on the farm today
0:00:06 > 0:00:10# Learn about nature along the way
0:00:10 > 0:00:13# From seeds to crops and field to farm
0:00:13 > 0:00:15# So much to do down on the farm
0:00:15 > 0:00:17# Summer, autumn, winter, spring
0:00:17 > 0:00:23# Ploughing, planting, harvesting With JB and Storm to lead the way
0:00:23 > 0:00:28# Come join us down on the farm today. #
0:00:28 > 0:00:31CHICKEN CLUCKS, COCKEREL CROWS
0:00:31 > 0:00:37Hello. I'm JB and welcome to a very special Christmas Down On The Farm.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39It may be the festive season,
0:00:39 > 0:00:41but there's still plenty of work to be done.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46While I feed my pigs, let's find out what's coming up today.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Storm and I visit a special family-run farm.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54We learn about holly and mistletoe.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58And I discover how Christmas trees are grown.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03But first, Storm finds out about a popular festive vegetable.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06So come and join us Down On The Farm.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15I've come to this farm on a wintry day in East Lothian
0:01:15 > 0:01:18to find out about a little green vegetable
0:01:18 > 0:01:21that proves very popular at Christmas time.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26The Brussels sprout. So, let's go and see how it is harvested.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34This is Farmer Billy in one of his sprout fields.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Helping him today are his grandchildren,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Colm, Lily,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Gray and Summer. Hi, guys.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49It's such a rainy day, but it's so lovely to see you here.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53High five. Well done for coming out in the rain.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57So, Farmer Billy, I hear you grow loads of Brussels sprouts
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- on your farm. - Yep, we grow millions every year.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- Where do you hide them?- They're all under here, aren't they?
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Look at that. There are so many Brussels sprouts there.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- How many Brussels sprouts do you think are on a plant?- 62.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16- 53 on them.- So, Farmer Billy, did they get it right?
0:02:16 > 0:02:22- 50 to 60 sprouts is a close average on every plant.- Well done, guys.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24I hear you can make a noise with the sprouts.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26SPROUTS SQUEAK
0:02:26 > 0:02:29The leaves have a waxy coating to protect them
0:02:29 > 0:02:31from a rainy day like today.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It's the wax that makes the sprouts squeak.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37How long does it take the Brussels sprouts to grow?
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- Approximately four months. - Four months, that's a long time.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Shall see how they're harvested? - Yes.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52This is a sprout harvesting machine,
0:02:52 > 0:02:56which first cuts the plants, strips off the sprouts
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and sucks them into a container called a hopper.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02The stalks and leaves are chopped up
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and dropped on the ground to feed the soil.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09The sprouts are then tipped into a crate on a lorry ready
0:03:09 > 0:03:11to go to the pack house.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15The sprouts go on to a conveyor belt
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and are shaken to get rid of any leaves.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23They are sorted by size and checked for any damaged sprouts.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26They are then weighed and packaged up.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It's our turn to help.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32We've dried off, washed our hands and put protective hairnets
0:03:32 > 0:03:34and jackets on.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44So the sprouts are now ready for the shops.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57So tell me, what are we feeding the cows?
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Sprouts that have been damaged while they have been harvested.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05So the sprouts that can't be sold in the shops are used to feed the cows.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- It really looks like they're enjoying them, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Thanks for telling me about Brussels sprouts
0:04:12 > 0:04:16and I'll be thinking of you while I'm tucking into Christmas dinner.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- Have you enjoyed today? - CHILDREN: Yes.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26Now it's time to find out what else happens during this festive time.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Here, December is the darkest month of the year with just
0:04:34 > 0:04:36eight hours of daylight a month.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40So we brighten up our lives with millions of twinkling lights
0:04:40 > 0:04:42shining through the dark.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47These lights can attract small birds.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49The bright glow makes the birds feel safer
0:04:49 > 0:04:53during the long, dark nights.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57In the weeks before Christmas, many farmers are extra busy
0:04:57 > 0:05:00harvesting food for millions of Christmas dinners.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03While some of us go to the shops to buy what we need,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06for lots of animals food is hard to find,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10especially when it's covered in snow.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Clever squirrels feed on the nuts they have stored up in the autumn.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20Sheep need extra food like hay delivered by farmers.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26Garden feeders are used all over the country for hungry birds.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29These sheep seem to be enjoying the snow.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Nearly as much as we do.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36The festive season might be the busiest, but for some animals
0:05:36 > 0:05:42like this tiny dormouse, they simply sleep through the whole thing.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53Hello, we are here today at a very special family farm in Oxfordshire.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56We're going to use our senses to discover
0:05:56 > 0:05:58some of the activities you can do here.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02And we'll be getting to know some of the animals too.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Let's meet the family that created this fantastic farm.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09This is Nick and his family, who own this amazing farm.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14Our inspiration was my daughter Olivia, who has cerebral palsy.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16We found there weren't many places
0:06:16 > 0:06:18we could visit with the whole family,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21cos most people who have disabled children
0:06:21 > 0:06:23also have children who aren't disabled.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28We wanted to create a place the whole family can enjoy together.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- Smell this and now smell your hands. - Hi, guys.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39You look like you're having lots of fun. What are you doing?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42We are smelling the flowers.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Smelling the flowers. What do they smell like?- They smell nice.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Shall we smell some of these?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- What does that smell like?- Lemons. - Lemons.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57It does smell like lemons. Do you want to smell this one?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59It smells like toothpaste.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04It does.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11- So we're using our senses to discover the plants.- Yes.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- Look at them. They're great, aren't they?- Say paca. Alpaca.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Alpaca.- Tyler, what do you like most about the alpacas?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26I love their fluffy coats and their big eyes.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- They have really big eyes, don't they?- Yes.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31As well as discovering animals
0:07:31 > 0:07:36and using your senses, there's also places to play and learn.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Guys, are you having fun?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Are you ready? Go!
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- Do you like it when the water comes out the hole at the bottom?- Yes.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52We put the water up here, it tips, the water flows down
0:07:52 > 0:07:57and we can use these little handles to control the flow of the water.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59What happens if we close this?
0:07:59 > 0:08:00Oh! What happens?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04No more water coming out.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14There's so much to do here
0:08:14 > 0:08:18exploring all of the different places on the farm.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Have we all had fun?
0:08:20 > 0:08:21ALL: Yes!
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Now it's time for our festive poem.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Winter, winter, dressed in white
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Winter, winter, came last night
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Winter, winter, cold winds blow
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Winter, winter brought us snow
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Winter, winter, frosty air
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Winter, winter, everywhere
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Winter, winter, robin bright
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Winter, winter, merry sight
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Winter, winter, Christmas Day
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Winter, winter, time to play
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Winter, winter, snowmen stand
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Winter, winter, wonderland!
0:09:06 > 0:09:09From both of us here on Down On The Farm
0:09:09 > 0:09:13we want to wish you a very merry Christmas.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19TRACTOR TOOTS, HENS CLUCK
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Look at all these beautiful Christmas trees here
0:09:28 > 0:09:31on this farm in East Sussex.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35There are over 20,000 Christmas trees on this farm
0:09:35 > 0:09:39and lots of different kinds. I'm meeting Farmer Clive to tell me more.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- You look very busy.- I am.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45We've been labelling trees because they are ready for Christmas.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48How long have these trees taken to grow this big?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- It's taken nine years to grow. - That is a long time.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- How do these trees start life? - Would you like me to show you?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Absolutely, let's do it.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07So, Farmer Clive, are these the baby Christmas trees?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Yes, we call these saplings and one day they'll grow
0:10:11 > 0:10:15to be as big as the trees we saw over in the other field.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Why are all these trees in little pots in the ground?
0:10:19 > 0:10:22We grow them in pots so that when we dig them up
0:10:22 > 0:10:24they still have their roots.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29This means they can carry on growing and be re-used as a Christmas tree.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Not all Christmas trees are grown in pots.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37Some are grown in the ground and cut down in time for Christmas.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Well, JB, these trees in pots are ready to be dug up.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44All right. Let's get digging.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- You are doing well, JB. - Thanks, Farmer Clive.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57You should be able to pull it out now.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Look at all those roots.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Lots of them, aren't there?
0:11:03 > 0:11:07This tree still has its roots so it can be replanted
0:11:07 > 0:11:11and continue growing after Christmas. Well, that was fun.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15What else do you do to get the trees ready for people to buy?
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- Get in the truck and I'll show you.- Cool.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27This is where we put the tree through the netting machine,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30so it's easy to take home for Christmas.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- Perfect, can I have a go?- Of course you can. Phil is here to help.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Keep going. Just keep going until it falls out of the netter.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Keep going, keep going. There you go.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Thank you, Farmer Clive, for showing us your Christmas tree farm.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- Thank you for coming to visit me, JB.- Next up, our festive film.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Plants and trees which stay green all year round,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12never losing their leaves, are called evergreens.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16People have been bringing evergreens into their homes
0:12:16 > 0:12:18during winter for a long time.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Their fresh smell, colourful leaves
0:12:21 > 0:12:26and bright berries remind us that spring is not so far away.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31Holly is an evergreen which can grow as a bush and as a tree.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Sometimes the trees can grow very tall.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39It's famous for its red berries and prickly green leaves.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44But only the leaves that grow nearer the ground have sharp prickles.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49This stops grazing animals, like deer and cattle, from eating them.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54Another popular Christmas evergreen is mistletoe.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Its bright, white berries are
0:12:56 > 0:12:59an important winter food for some birds.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Mistletoe doesn't grow out of the ground like most plants
0:13:03 > 0:13:05and trees - instead, it grows on trees.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08It takes water from the tree
0:13:08 > 0:13:11through its roots, which grow into the tree bark.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Evergreens like these can be woven together
0:13:15 > 0:13:19and then used to decorate homes over the festive season.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Storm and I have had a fantastic festive time Down On The Farm.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35We hope you've enjoyed it too.
0:13:35 > 0:13:43You can check out more things to see and do on the CBeebies website. Bye.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46# Come join us down on the farm today
0:13:46 > 0:13:50# Learn about nature along the way
0:13:50 > 0:13:53# From seeds to crops and field to farm
0:13:53 > 0:13:55# So much to do down on the farm
0:13:55 > 0:13:57# Summer, autumn, winter, spring
0:13:57 > 0:14:03# Ploughing, planting, harvesting With JB and Storm to lead the way. #
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Have a very merry Christmas. Bye.