Another milestone for the Farm

Another milestone in the evolution of The Community Farm was reached this spring, as Phil Haughton moved on from his role as Operations Director and board member of The Community Farm.

As most of you will know, it was Phil (along with Luke Hasell and Jim Twine) who came up with the original vision for The Community Farm. We hit the ground running as an enterprise by purchasing the growing operation and the vegetable box and wholesale business of the Better Food Company. As part of that arrangement Phil committed to working for us part time for two years to help our new venture to establish itself.

During that time our core staff team (particularly Andy Dibben and Laurence Guy) have learnt vast amounts from Phil, enabling us to feel confident in our capacity to run the business in the future. Many more across the enterprise have also benefited from Phil’s commercial and agricultural experience and his sheer passion for sustainable practice and food justice.

Phil is taking a break from the farm for a while but he remains a member and, through Better Food Company, is one of our most valued customers. We hope in time he will return to help us as a volunteer up at the field with his wellies and know-how.

All who have been involved in the project up to now will, I am sure, join with me in thanking Phil for all he has done in getting us to this point, ready to face the future with a mix of confidence, pragmatism and resolve.

Kind regards

Dave Hunter
Chair, The Community Farm

The photo shows Phil sharing his knowledge of organic growing at the Chew Stoke Harvest Home 2012 with Andrew Woodfield and Ben Raskin from the farm's Board and television presenter Mike Dilger.