What will it offer
-
It will serve as an exemplar project for other communities and other family farms. It is an example of affordable farming and reconnection.
-
To open an educational resource facility educating consumers and children on the long-term future of farming and food
-
To offer work experience to a variety of volunteers and students.
-
To provide permissive trails and paths for education and recreation. (a nature trail is already open)
- To provide fresh organic and local produce direct from Fordhall Farm through the farm shop.
To provide basic accommodation for school and youth groups.
-
To enhance the landscape through environmental improvements.
-
To preserve biodiversity and wildlife.
-
To create a workspace for land based social enterprises.
- To reconnect farming with local people through access and inclusion.
- To open an organic/local food tea rooms and restaurant.
What Are We Doing?
By securing Fordhall Farm, the Fordhall Community Land Initiative is committing to building a sustainable future whilst guaranteeing that farming will be an affordable way of life for generations to come.
In the ever demanding consumer economy that we live in today, traditional farming is struggling to be a profitable profession. It is challenging for small farmers like Fordhall Farm, to compete with large scale producers and cut-back prices. If Fordhall Farm is secured and leased out by the Community Initiative it can ensure that the small farmer will be given an opportunity to maintain and capitalise on family traditions; providing a model for other at risk farms across the country.
On a more personal note, Fordhall Farm is one of the longest running natural organic farms in England and this heritage must to be protected and preserved. Many of the initial supporters were personal friends of the late Arthur Hollins and recognised his groundbreaking research into organic farming. People are still supporting The Fordhall Initiative because they can appreciate the work and determination of those invovled. It is this combination of history, environmental qualities and undeterred motivation which has made Fordhall Farm a treasure to visit.
The Fordhall Initiative recognises that good quality local produce needs to be accessible to all. The Fordhall Farm shop will be able to continue to supply both organic and local food to the area when the land is purchased. The tenants (Ben and Charlotte Hollins) are working with other members of The Fordhall Initiative to make organic food more affordable. One of the fundamental aims of the Fordhall Initiative is to assist in educating people in the production of food and the impact of animal welfare – both ethically and health related.
There are so many different angles of interest associated with Fordhall Farm that it is difficult to find a reason not to support this campagin. The list posted on 'what does it offer you' gives an example of some of the issues The Fordhall Community Land Initiative hopes to address. Although Fordhall Farm is a specific local area, the issues it lends itself to spread much further afield and supporters are pleased to find an easy way to actively support their beliefs.
In terms of The Fordhall Community Land Initiative's plans for the future, they range from opening an organic/local food tea rooms to constructing an education resource centre and bunkhouse - for use by education groups, families and disadvantaged children. It is the potential which Fordhall Farm has to offer which attracts many.
These are the reasons we do it!
Find out more: What does it offer you?
Events and Volunteer weekends are regular at Fordhall. Find out more here
The Fordhall Nature Trail
.jpg)
Healthy Eating Event Sept 2005- Matthew Fundell (age3)
To find out more: