Case Study: Swansea Community Farm

Case Study: Swansea Community Farm

Introduction
Swansea Community Farm, the only city farm in Wales, is a unique 3.5 acre site in Fforestfach reconnecting people with their food, their environment and each other through educational, volunteering, training and play opportunities.The farm is a place where people of all ages can learn about the environment, organic gardening and animal care whilealso taking an active role in the community.

Background
The Farm was established in 1992 by a group of committed individuals who shared a common belief that a small working farm in the city would bring pleasure, opportunity and benefit to all sections of the community.

During the next five years they developed the organisation, became a registered charity and searched for a suitable site. In 1997, they found three and half acres of derelict land on the outskirts of the city, bordered by a primary school, residential housing, a crisp factory, busy dual carriageway and a local nature reserve.

In 1998, the group was granted a 21-year lease from the City and County of Swansea. Since then the site has been developed with paddocks, paths, display pens, a compost area and allotments, in addition to an apiary, wildlife pond, courtyard, lawn and car park.

Activities and features on the Farm include:

-Child & Youth Work: To develops skills, confidence and knowledge through engagement in the running and development of Farm activities and free play opportunities within a safe, supportive and stimulating environment.

-Volunteer & Training: Adult volunteers participate in the running and development of the farm, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to move forward in life and contribute positively to the farm and wider communities.

-Education:School visits/courses based on outdoor, practical learning and investigating a range of environment and food related issues.

-Farm animals: Providing food for the plate and promoting increased awareness of food production issues.

-Grounds & Buildings:Maintenance and development of our site and neighbouring green spaces to demonstrate a range of growing, sustainability, and conservation management techniques.

-Farm Café: Informal and accredited training in cooking healthy food and serving affordable meals for farm users and visitors.

Land Information

The Farm’s trustees chose the site following a number of feasibility studies which led to the land at Fforestfach being considered the best option; principally as it was located close to a very socially deprived area.

The trustees negotiated terms with the Education Authority and after securing the leasehold, the organisation was incorporated as a charity.

The farm was established in a completely different economic climate to today. The leasehold is due for renewal in 2019 and current financial pressures on the council have been reflected in negotiations for a new lease. This has been compounded by the fact that income streams have been significantly reduced.

As a charity, the farm was not originally set up to generate income, but now faces a situation where, in the words of one commentator, ‘It must commercialise or die.’ The farm realises it must develop as a commercial organisation yet maintain its charitable aims.

Advice to Others

Anyone aiming to set up a similar project should understand the current economic and funding climate, which means it is more difficult to have social benefit at the centre of what you do without some recognition of the need to generate income.

The Farm changes people’s lives and it has significant testimonials to reflect this. It is important to measure the health outcomes (there are existing frameworks that can help do this). The therapeutic benefits of the Farm are widely accepted and there is a need to continue promoting the idea of ‘social prescriptions.’

The farm does not seek to replace traditional health and social services, but does offer low-level intervention. However, it is difficult to get organisations to pay for the services offered – many are also financially constrained. There is a constant pull between social outcomes and the importance to make money.

What is special about the farm is that it helps people who don’t usually get involved in these kinds of projects. It has been successful in taking its message out to the community and in doing so secured the support of a wide range of different volunteers. Furthermore, the farm has managed to build good relationships and partnerships with organisations from both the private and public sectors.

However there is a perception that hosting volunteers is free and people need to realise all the costs involved including infrastructure, policies, management oversight, direct supervision, etc. Getting this message across is very difficult.

Contact Details

Phil Budd:

Email:

Website:

ENDS