Allotments

An allotment is an historical name for an area of land, leased either from a private or local authority landlord, for the use of growing fruit and vegetables. In some cases this land will also be used for the growing of ornamental plants, and the keeping of livestock such as hens, rabbits, goats and bees. 

We call our land ‘growing spaces’ and ‘plots’  

We have three main fields or growing spaces, each field has a different aspect and feel in the way it has been designed.

• Smallholding Field
• Big Polytunnel Field
• Orchard Field

In each field  we have the individual plots.  These are as varied as the folks who grow in them. 

“Permaculture is an ecological design system for sustainability in all aspects of human endeavour. It teaches us how to build natural homes, grow our own food, restore diminished landscapes and ecosystems, catch rainwater, build communities and much more” Permaculture Institute

• Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.
• Care for the people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence and help themselves flourish.
• Return of surplus: Reinvesting surpluses back into the system to provide for the first two ethics. This includes sharing surpluses, returning waste back into the system and  recycling into usefulness.

On our farm we do not use any chemicals  or do anything that would harm wildlife. Sometimes that means we grow extra numbers of vegetables so that the slugs can get some too. 

The depends on what you would like to take on and what is available. You can decide to have a small plot in your first year and take on something bigger next year. 

Plots are  £3.50 per m2 per year.  There is a minimum payment of £45 per year in order to contribute towards our running costs.  You don’t have to take on a plot to join for £45 per year farm membership.  This benefits you and your family with  visiting the farm woodland walks and wildlife hides throughout the year and if you decide to take on a plot in that year the £45 is taken off your plot payment. 

You can grow nearly anything you like.  We only ask that you keep trees on your plot under a certain height and width and that you do not grow any banned plants.  

That is up to you if you are growing plants. You can come to the farm anytime between dawn and dusk. All we ask is that you keep your plot well managed. For example, you do not let seed heads  or climbing plants invade a neighbours plot.  If you are keeping livestock on the farm then you must visit the farm regularly to ensure that your livestock is healthy and content. 

yes, you can, with written permission from the farm.  you must ensure that all livestock is kept according to Compassionate  farming guidelines and their welfare is checked regularly.

You get access to the farm from dawn until dusk. You get the use of a communal shed and tools when ever that is appropriate. There is also access to drinking water, electricity, compost toilets and outdoor hand washing stations.  You can use the well rotted manure and the woodchip when ever we have it available.

That depends on which plot your choose.  Some have been previously set up or you may decide to create a plot in an area that was previously grazing land. 

Yes, with farm permission which must be in writing.  The decision will be based on what size of plot you have and where it is situated in the growing field. It must not over shadow other growers and it should fit in with the overall plan of the growing field.  We do have a communal shed for storing and sharing tools when appropriate.

Yes, we encourage members to have ponds as these support the frogs and other insects who act as predators and food in the natural ecosystem of the farm. The pond will support all the wildlife that is predating the critters that want to eat all your lovely vegetables.  At least one side of your pond should have a ‘beach’ area so that wildlife can get in and out comfortably.  Frogs can drown in ponds if they have not way of climbing out.

The farm does not  currently have a full time horticulturalist on site, however many of our members have studied horticulture or learnt over many years of experience growing.  Members are often very happy to share their experience with you, along with horticultural tips and experiments they have tried on their plot. 

Meeting up is often on an ‘ad hoc’ basis depending on which day you come to the farm and what other folks patterns of use are.  It is a big space so even if there are a few families here, you might not see folks that much.  Often it feels like you are the only person on the farm. 

During Covid restrictions we suspended our yearly ‘get-together’ however we did have a chance to meet on Zoom towards the end of 2020 and there will be more opportunities to meet on Zoom and hopefully in person at a later date.  We keep in touch with our closed Facebook page and with our Whats app group.  Using our mobiles is another good way of letting each other know we are on the farm so we can meet up for a ‘safely distanced’ chat.   

It is important that you ask before using anything you see lying around. Often people leave wood and other items in piles on the edges of plots or hedges and they have a use in mind for it.  Also the farm has wood in the round ready to use for firewood, that is stored in the fields and so it is very important that you ask before taking anything for your own use so there are no disappointments. 

We do not always have regular volunteering days on the farm, however sometimes farm members help us out with keeping paths and woodland managed or when we are getting ready for events.  Regular volunteers get a reduction in the cost of their plot fee as a recognition of all they are doing to help to support the community.

We ask you not to use our lane towards Ballycrochan Road.  We keep our community area separated from the more ‘intensive agricultural’  area of the farm by keeping the old farm gates closed at the Low Yard.  This keeps our community members safe from farm machinery and ‘break out’ cattle.   As a paid up member of our community, you are very welcome to use any of the woodland paths or hides on the farm. The only exception to this, is if there is an organised event or someone else using a hide.   During those time we request that you  be respectful and allow the event participants their peaceful enjoyment of the farm.  If you want to use the woodland roundhouse or other shelter area to meet with a group or family event,  then please  ask for permission beforehand to avoid disappointment. There may be a small fee for gatherings at the farm.