A community-led fundraising campaign has been launched to save a long-standing organic farm in the UK from closure. The campaign seeks to raise £1.5 million to purchase 117 acres of the farm and transfer it to community ownership.
A campaign to raise £1.5 million to save an organic farm by transferring part of the land to community ownership has garnered significant support from across the United Kingdom, with over £20,000 already pledged. The farm's unique approach to livestock includes an unusual cow and calf dairy herd where calves are raised by their mothers until they naturally wean. The land has been cultivated by the Jones family for five generations.
However, due to a divorce settlement, the mother-daughter team of Casha Bowles-Jones and Barbara Jones face the prospect of leaving unless 117 acres of the farm can be sold to thousands of community supporters. To address this challenge, they collaborated with a group of locals last year to establish a co-operative, the Babbinswood Farm Community Benefit Society (CBS), which would facilitate this land transfer. \The main fundraising appeal was launched last week by the co-operative and has already exceeded £21,000, with shareholders contributing from all corners of the country. Daisy Kirtley, a member of the Babbinswood Farm CBS, emphasized that the campaign would not only preserve a family-run, community-oriented farm with 20 years of certified organic land but also create another valuable community asset. This asset would encompass land, buildings, and woodland owned by community shareholders. \'I think this is a great opportunity to secure more resources for the community while also supporting food security,' she stated. 'Events like traditional wassailing, weaving workshops, and art clubs are already thriving on the farm. 'A wassailing event took place at the weekend and was enjoyed by lots of people keen to keep traditions alive,” she added. 'If successful, this campaign will create a community co-owned farm, a co-operative owned by its shareholders with a guaranteed base income of rent from our organic tenant farmers – Casha and Barbara. 'On top of that the community will have a woodland, dog friendly farm walks, a place committed to environmental education and space for workshops and events – and, with time, we'll have capacity for even more,' she concluded
Community Ownership Organic Farming Farm Preservation Fundraising Campaign Rural Development
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Community Campaign Launched to Save Shropshire Organic FarmA mother and daughter team face losing their family's organic farm in Shropshire unless a community-led fundraising campaign raises £1.5 million. The Babbinswood Farm Community Benefit Society (CBS) has been established to secure the future of the farm, which is known for its sustainable farming practices and commitment to animal welfare.
Read more »
Project aims to save willow tit from extinctionNatural England says the willow tit is one of the UK's fastest declining resident birds.
Read more »
Battlefield Labs: Community Testing Aims to Avoid 2042's FateEA's new community testing initiative, Battlefield Labs, seeks to involve players in the development of the next Battlefield game. This early feedback will help DICE shape the game's direction and avoid repeating the mistakes of Battlefield 2042.
Read more »
Campaign to Save Kirkstall's Abbey House Museum from ClosureA campaign has been launched to save the Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall, Leeds, from closure proposed by Leeds City Council. The council claims the closure would save £160,000 a year, but campaigners argue it is a vital local resource and attract thousands of visitors annually.
Read more »
Man City boss Pep Guardiola calls for 'something special' to save Champions League campaignPep Guardiola has called for 'something special' from his Manchester City side to save their Champions League campaign.
Read more »
Save Central YMCA Campaign Heads to High CourtThe world's first YMCA, located in central London, faces closure after being sold to a real estate company. Campaigners, led by retired postman Patrick Joy, are taking the matter to the High Court to seek an injunction and prevent the closure. They argue the YMCA provides vital health and community services, and its loss would disproportionately impact vulnerable members and the local NHS.
Read more »