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For details of forthcoming farm walks, and to find out how to get involved in your community farm, please see Diary
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The Vision
The Wye Community Farm (WCF) initiative was established in the autumn of 2006, initially to tender for the tenancy of the Wye College Farm. Whilst the tender bid was unsuccessful – see the postings on latest news for the full story – the tremendous enthusiasm and support shown for the project has meant that the directors and steering group of Wye Community Farm limited are committed to pursuing other opportunities.
It is the aim of the Wye Community Farm to establish a community-owned enterprise which:
- Supports a wide range of agricultural enterprises, producing 'local food for local people'.
- Manages the land sympathetically to protect and enhance Wye's biodiversity and landscape quality.
- Provides employment, training and volunteering opportunities.
- Forms close links with schools and act as an 'outdoor classroom'.
- Produces an economic return sufficient to support the above aims and allow for investment in further initiatives (eg renewable energy crops, added value enterprises etc).
- The WCF Limited is incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS) for the benefit of the community, regulated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-2003.
- The WCF will raise sufficient funds to establish the most appropriate business model as identified by the WCF steering group, through a share issue, grants, and other means as felt appropriate including loans.
- Each share will cost £50, with anyone owning a share becoming a member of the WCF.
- The WCF will be managed by a board, elected from and by the members. (One vote per member, irrespective of the number of shares owned).
- Trading surpluses (profits) will be used to maintain prudent reserves and on expenditure necessary to achieve the Trust's objectives. Interest may be paid on shares.
- In the event of closure of the WCF, residual funds will be returned to members in proportion to their original investment and/or distributed to similar bodies.
- Please complete and return our online form, indicating your support and providing your contact details for updates on progress.
- Get involved! Join the WCF work parties on Saturday mornings, see diary for details.
Richard Bartley, Richard Boden, Jasper Bouverie, Jamie Clifford, Paul Cobb, Sean Furey, Tammy Furey, Jeff Higgins, Richard Honey, Mark Hudson, Kumar, Jim Little, Martin Mackey, Rebecca Mair, Graham Potts, Chris Reynolds, David Terry, Louise Tonkin, Dan Tuson, Phil Ward, Joanna Williams. (All acting in an individual capacity.)
The Wye Community Farm is grateful for financial support from the Kent Downs AONB Unit and CPRE Kent. 
