Getting Started and Growing Livelihoods in Cloughjordan

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Getting Started and Growing Livelihoods in Cloughjordan

FarmStart TestCroppers

Want to learn more about ways to access land to grow, and about a fund to help people get started? Read on.....

Among the barriers to growth in agri-food, access to land for new entrants is often cited. FarmStart Manchester is an interesting example of how a large organic holding helped solve the problem of land access. In the context of the Organic Growers of Ireland new apprenticeship scheme for organic horticulture, outlined here recently, this model presents an interesting example of ‘what next?’

FarmStart Manchester is a farm business incubator initiative – the first of its kind in the UK. Access to land, capital and mentoring are all provided.

The story starts with The KindlingTrust, which helped launch the Feeding Manchester website in 2009, and what it calls a “Greater Manchester Land Army”, which consists of volunteers, placements and trainees.

The next step for the Land Army is FarmStart Manchester. This is an incubator for new growers to trial their farming business ideas in a low-risk setting. It was established in March 2013 in partnership with certified organic Abbey Leys Farm.

Abbey Leys is a mixed farm, specialising in eggs and potatoes, with good access to a large city and farmers’ markets there. It has flat fertile land and has been certified with the Soil Association since 2001.

New growers join FarmStart as what are called TestCroppers. They have access to certified organic land, receive training and mentoring, have market access and peer support.

If successful, usually after two years, TestCroppers go on to be FarmStarters. This stage involves farming ¼ acre sections each year for 4 years.

FarmStart Manchester is a partnership with a number of other organisations in the Manchester area, working in the civil society or environmental sustainability areas.

These include an organic fruit and vegetable co-operative called Manchester Veg People. Established in 2011, this is a multi-stakeholder co-operative of organic growers and buyers in Manchester. Buyers include restaurants, caterers and public sector organisations, such as University of Manchester Food in Residence and Food on Campus, Greenplate Catering, box schemes and eateries of many styles.

As Manchester Veg People state: “Because we're a co-op, growers are better able to work together to ensure the greatest range of produce for customers, as well as share knowledge, skills and resources. Buyers and growers can co-ordinate supply and demand locally, minimising waste, strengthening trust and understanding, and eliminating much of the risk for growers.”

They maintain a producer-friendly pricing structure and function as a not for profit distribution co-op. So their members' levies cover running costs of the co-op only.

So where did all the cash come from to do this? These have all been supported by the Kindling Trust, which itself receives funding from ten organisations, including the UK’s National Lottery and various foundations.

Manchester Veg People used crowdfunding, while the member’s subs also contribute. After all, businesses are financially benefitting from these regular relationships, from farms to restaurants.

I learned about this FarmShare initiative at a Growing Livelihoods event held in Cloughjordan's WeCreate space, on the ecovillage site.This event was supported by the Plunkett Foundation and the Carnegie Trust, and organised by Cultivate. Both UK-based organisations are now beginning to make waves in Ireland, which could have positive implications for people interested in developing co-operative models.

Cloughjordan Wood Fired Bakery bread: (c) Georgia Bowyer

Indeed Growing Livelihoods is also a funded initiative these two organisations and others, including the LandSettlement Association, have established to “create, test and promote new opportunities in smaller-scale food growing for those new to the sector, young people or those seeking a new direction”. They add “this initiative has a particular focus on the use of co-operation and innovation to help create viable livelihoods in this sector.”

Open to applicants in Ireland, The £30,000 fund will be divided among a selected number of applicants in £6000 packages. Other supports are also provided. Closing date for applications is 4^thJuly. For more see here

More: here's a great post from Sally Daly about the event

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