The Community Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture project that was initiated by a steering group of volunteers. A successful community share offer was launched which enabled the Farm, in April 2011, to become a legally constituted member-owned Community Benefit Society. The aims of the Farm are to produce organically grown and reared food for the benefit of local people, and to reconnect people with the land and with food production. Currently the Farm is growing on 28 acres of land overlooking Chew Valley Lake. It delivers vegetable boxes containing our own and other local suppliers produce to around 400 customers a week and supplies wholesale to 30 restaurants, cafes and shops in Bristol and Bath (including River Cottage Canteen, Watershed and Better Food Company). There are currently some 19 members of staff, most of them part time, as well as a team of regular volunteers.
Since July 2012 we have been developing our learning programme that includes school visits, community farmer days, employee volunteering days and adult learning courses.
The Farm is governed by a Board of volunteer directors, and each year a third of the Board resign in rotation and either stand for re-election or move on to pastures new! Our AGM will take place in October and we are looking for new Board Members with particular skills including commercial experience, horticultural knowledge, finance and marketing and communications. An interest in the environment and in sustainable farming methods are important (but not essential!). We have a maximum number of 11 places on the Board and with some current Board members standing down and not standing for re-election we have between 4 and 5 vacancies. Should we receive more nominations than places then a vote would need to take place. Serving on the Board does require a significant commitment of time but is very rewarding. We are sure you will grow to love the Farm as much as everyone who is currently involved.
Board-members-Job-Description-July-2013.pdf
If you are interested in finding out more a job description is attached. If you would like to discuss this with one of the existing Board members then please email in the first instance. The nomination form requires two signatures and the Proposer and Seconder need to be Members of the Farm. Deadline for nominations Thursday 19th September 2013.
