The Board and Staff of The Community Farm met on 1st December to review what we've achieved so far, look at what we could and should be doing better and plan for the future. We just wanted to share with you some of the things that we have managed to achieve over a relatively short time with the support of our investors, members, volunteers and staff and board members.
The Business
- Grown lots of veg!
- Becoming legal and accountable
- Launching a new website (you're reading it now!)
- Running an efficient organic veg box scheme with 360 weekly customers
- Wholesale business increased
- We have a toilet and a tap and the start of staff facilities!
- We have an Organic Apprentice through the Soil Association scheme
- Supplied veg for 3 Soil Association Food for Life Partnership award events
- We have a team of committed, enthusiastic and dedicated staff and board members
- Employed local people for casual labour
- Improved infrastructure on site such as track, plans for barn, cold store, electricity
- 500 investors and annual members
- Gathered Members ideas at the AGM
- 2 new board members
- Raised £170,000 through Community Shares
- B&NES small grant
- Through to second round of Village SOS funding
- Linked with Ecotricity Affinity scheme
- Worked with over 100 volunteers since April 2011, plus 14 regular volunteers
- 807 people signed up to our regular newsletter
- Members have taken on their own projects including visits to Care Homes and forming the Valley Promotion Group to promote the farm locally
- Hosted international visitors from Italy, USA and Japan
- Held events including the Members open day and a Midsummer Picnic
- Held a special day for local chefs
- Worked with Avon Wildlife Trust on bioblitz and education
- Developed a Bath hub with DHI (Developing Health andIndependence)
- Events
- Pulled off a great AGM and Harvest Festival (and survived!)
- Corporate work days
- Good local relations
- Runner up in Observer Food awards
