Laurelbank Farm began as The Edible Flower in 2016, with supper clubs, veg growing and a lot of enthusiasm. Ten years on, after Farm & Feast, organic certification, major building works, a year-round CSA, a farm shop, Growing Academy and much more, I’ve (very almost) realised my ambition - a community farm that is run by a community, not by one person.
From 1 January 2027, the running of the farm is moving to Laurelbank Community Interest Company. And it’s been quite the journey!
When did this start?
Back in 2023 my marriage was falling apart and I had no idea whether there was any way I was going to be able to stay at the farm long-term. Amazingly, when I sent an email to my veg-box members and regular volunteers asking for some help, dozens of people showed up to help plan the future of the farm. We set up a steering group (expertly guided by the wonderful and inspiring. Tiziana O’Hara or Cooperative Alternatives). We met regularly and discussed what the farm stood for, what we were trying to achieve and all that good juicy stuff. It took us a year or two to actually get to the point where we were ready to set up a Community Interest Company - and then a another two years before we’re ready to transfer over all the farming operations
Why did it take so long?!
I never set out to make lots of money from growing vegetables. The aim has always been to run a farm business that is financially sustainable, pays everyone fairly and, if there is ever a surplus, shares it. It turns out it’s REALLY REALLY hard to even break even when running a small-scale organic market garden - harder than I ever thought - and that is one of the reasons for my slow progress. It turns out doing all the work yourself, not paying yourself and almost destroying yourself in the process is NOT the way to make an unprofitable business work.
We have got to where we are by 1) accepting that growing veg is marginal in terms of finances 2) scaling back the amount we grow to a managable amount and 3) subsidising the growing with other projects - mainly me teaching people how to grow - I love it and the students loves it so it’s a win-win situation.
Also, it just takes time to figure out what your values are, what your mission and your priorities actually are - especially when you are doing it as a group. But so much better when you get to the end… (or maybe we have just got to the beginning!)
Why a CIC?
A Community Interest Company (CIC) is a form of social enterprise - we can still sell goods and services, we can still pay our staff and directors - but any money we make must be reinvested in line with our community benefits. There were other options we could have chosen - a Community Benefit Society, a Charity or Cooperative. But a CIC is the best fit for what we want to achieve and how.
The best bit of all of this is that I’m no longer making every decision alone. This summer we welcomed four new board members, and having people to think with, challenge me and share the weight has been a joy and a relief.
Where you come in - we need new CSA members!
Growing organic veg is the heart of the farm, and it’s also the hardest part to make pay. Over the last two years we’ve made it more financially sustainable: a year-round CSA, a farm shop, and partnerships with Beechlawn Organic Farm and Chapel Lane Eggs.
But Laurelbank CIC currently has zero CSA members! We need our existing CSA members to make the jump with us, over to the CIC and we also need to find 7 new members. The CIC’s first year will be on much firmer ground if we reach our target by 1 January.
Joining now is the most direct way to help this farm stay in the hands of the people it serves.
Questions about the transition? Questions about our CSA? Ask me at the farm or send me an email - jo@laurelbankfarm.org. I’d love to hear them.
What next?
As I said above, this is really just the beginning for Laurelbank Farm - 10 years in a we’re just getting started. If you want to be part of a farm that strives to change what is believed to be possible in terms of local, truly sustainable, nutritious (and delicious) food then come and say hi and become part of our community. We are always looking for people with drive and energy to help us achieve wonderful things.
