Everyone knows that farmers are obsessed with the weather but this year at The Community Farm the obsession has turned into a big worry. We've already lost two-and-a-half acres of main crop potatoes, all other produce and planting is late and we estimate that production from the field will be 50% down on last year. We're not the only ones suffering like this; lots of growers we've talked to are having the same problems. Constant rain, low light levels and huge slug populations all contribute to this problem.
We now need to call on our members to help us with their time. We simply can't afford to employ people on a casual basis at our busiest times as we normally would. Picking strawberries and raspberries is very time consuming and therefore costly. If we don't pick daily we lose the fruit that's good for sale and we can't bear to see good food wasted.
So, how can you help? Can you spare any time to help on the field picking strawberries and raspberries? There are other jobs that need doing on a daily basis such as keeping the site tidy, weeding, harvesting, and watering. Whilst 'watering' might sound ridiculous, the plants in the polytunnels don't get the rain!
We are trying to re-plant the potato field with beetroot, swede, etc. and we are growing some more crops such as French beans, peas and mange tout, all of which are slow to pick but are popular with our customers.
Any time and help you can give us would be greatly appreciated and for every five punnets of strawberries or raspberries you pick you can have one punnet for yourself too!
This is a time of great need for the Farm and we're hoping that our members will rally round and truly become a involved in making this project a success.
If you can help please click here to complete a regular volunteering form. You don't need to complete this entire form, just the relevant health and safety information and the details about when you would be available. Then we'll get in touch to arrange when you can come down to the Farm. If you have any queries feel free to email
Thanks everyone - in anticipation.
From all of us at The Community Farm
