Fordhall Organic Farm
"Fordhall Organic Farm, based in North Shropshire, England has been chemical free for over 65 years. Rearing cattle, sheep and pigs on an outdoor extensive grazing system and being in community-ownership sinced 2006, Fordhall is pioneering in every sense.
"By securing Fordhall Farm, the Fordhall Community Land Initiative (FCLI) and the community landlord is committed to building a sustainable future whilst guaranteeing that farming will be an affordable way of life for generations to come. "[1]
Ben & Charlotte's father, Arthur Hollins. The full story is available in Arthur's book 'The Farmer, The Plough, and The Devil'. Also see The Fight for Fordhall Farm - foreword by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
"Fordhall Farm shows how enterprising young farmers can engage with the community, mutualise the land and put it into trusteeship using the Industrial and Provident Society structure, raise the purchase capital from members and balance community access rights with farming needs. Ben and Charlotte Hollins were given a Schumacher Award in October 2006.
"Fordhall is a 128-acre organic farm bordering Market Drayton, Shropshire. The Hollins family has farmed it as tenants for three generations. Charlotte and Ben Hollins launched The Fordhall Project in 2004 to save the farm. Fordhall Community Land Initiative (FCLI) was formed in February 2005 by a large group of supporters to buy the farm, secure it for community access and to keep the Hollins farming. The landowner agreed to sell the farm for £800,000 to FCLI by July 1st 2006.
"FCLI was incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) for the benefit of the community, and the Farm Appeal was launched on September 28th 2005. The purchase money was raised by July 2006, with extensive national and local media coverage. Over 7500 people bought £50 shares, raising £600,000, with £100,000 interest free loans and a £100,000 loan from Triodos Bank." [1]
Board
Accessed April 2014: [2]
- Tom Devey - Solicitor for FBC Manby Bowler
- Rosamund Aubrey - Research in Sustainable Development
- Christine Tate (Gas) - Head of Corporate Responsibility, British Gas
- Richard Priestly - Retired. Previous CEO of North Staffordshire Cumbrian Health Authority
- Chris Eldon Lee - Producer, Script writer, Presenter, BBC
- John Hegarty - Lecturer Keele Uni.Eco-psychology
- Sarah Johns - Head of Finance and support Services, Blackburn Youth Zones
- Pat Buchanan - Community Enterprise Advisor, Community Matters
- Michael Revell - Retired. HR Manager
- John Hughes - Development Manager (Shropshier Wildlife Trust)
- Bryan Hunt - Retired College Director and Chairman of Stone Group Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
- Helen Howes - Forest Schools Coordinator
- Jack Tavernor - Land Agent, Strutt and Parker
- Benjamin Hollins - Farmer and Tenant
Contact
Related Sourcewatch
- Biodynamic
- Ben Hollins
- Sebastian Parsons
- Community Farm Land Trust
- Stroud Common Wealth
- Martin Large
