What is the Fordhall Community Land Initiative and how is it structured?

The Fordhall Community Land Initiative aims to secure Fordhall Farm so it can be used as a community resource by all and to provide the current farmers, Ben and Charlotte Hollins with affordable access to farm land and security of tenure. It represents a passion and commitment for a way of life that needs to be encouraged if future generations are to enjoy the world that we have today.

The initiative is incorporated as a Society for the Benefit of the Community (an Industrial and Provident Society - IPS). This structure will raise the money to buy the farm and will then lease the land to the Hollins family under a comprehensive land use agreement that incorporates the interests of all parties – the farmers, the community and nature.

The structure allows shares to be sold to the general public. These are completely non-profit making and can not be traded on the open market. They can be returned to the Initiative or passed down in a Will, but can not be traded. This makes our society safe and secure to carry out the aims and objectives it was created to do so.

This unique structure has been created with the invaluable help of the Community Farm Land Trust Project, run by Martin Large and Greg Pilley.

The society has the following aims:

• To secure and hold the land assets of Fordhall Farm for community benefit
• To ensure permanently affordable access to the farm for farmers and the community
• To ensure the farm is managed sustainably using organic farming methods, with appropriate management for wildlife, biodiversity, heritage, access and to provide an educational and social resource.

Until Fordhall Farm has been secured, an interim board is guiding the direction of project work. This consists of 14 skilled members who are passionate about The Fordhall Community Land Initiative and its aims and objectives; all bring particular expertise and interests to the project.

 

How will Fordhall Community Land Initiative (FCLI) work?

The FCLI, as a Society for the Benefit of the Community (Industrial and Provident Society), will raise the finance through share capital and grants to purchase the freehold.

Once secured the farm will be leased to the current farmers, the Hollins Family, on the condition that it is run with community benefit at its heart.

Within the FCLI there will be open membership to those agreeing to the aims and guiding values of the society. Members of FCLI can buy as many non-profit making shares at £50 each as they like, and each member is entitled to one vote within the Society.

 

Shares are available to all .

 

The Fordhall Community Land Initiative promotes a huge range of issues. Whether your concerns lie with local, safe and traceable food, protecting the heritage of organic farming, animal welfare, environmentally friendly food production, sustainability, biodiversity, or education and increasing awareness of the organic movement; by supporting the Fordhall Initiative you are actioning on issues you care about.

You can support something that is going to make a difference.

Find out more: How can you help?