Horton Community Farm

Photos of work on site are now online

View our Permaculture Designs for the site

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A food-growing project in inner-city Bradford

• Locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables for local community
• Available at a price accessible to all
• Main project run on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model
• Consumers and growers take mutual responsibility for entire cycle
• Financially self-supporting for ongoing running costs

Community Supported Agriculture has been described as “A partnership between farmers and consumers where the responsibilities and rewards of farming are shared”.

The project will renovate the allotment site at Cecil Avenue to provide safe environment for people in local community to grow healthy food for local consumption. The site is around 5 acres in total area with 100 plots, 52 tenanted although only around 10% of the total site appears cultivated. The remainder is currently mainly derelict, with areas of weeds, brambles, undergrowth and native saplings.There is also a problem with fly-tipping, vandalism and drug abuse.

It is intended that the site will provide around 2 acres for use as a productive city farm with paid staff present full time. This would produce weekly vegetable (and fruit) boxes all year round at a cost accessible to all. The remainder of the site would be allocated as variable sized allotment plots ranging from starter mini plots to larger standard plots. All running costs of the CSA would be paid for by CSA membership subscription fees.

Provide a hub/focal point for additional community activities and ventures such as composting, mentoring for food growing & tool use and gardening skills, healthy eating, resource for education (school, youth and community groups), volunteer opportunities.

Benefits

• Statutory allotment site being used as productive food growing land, well cultivated and a valued and utilised resource.
• Reduction of food miles and use of fossil fuels/reduction of carbon foot print
• Resilience of food security (both cost and availability)
• Good example of what can be done locally, by local people, for local people. Can be used as a model for replication around the city (or country)
• Improvement in immediate environment for neighbouring residents – safer, cleaner, visually appealing.Increase in sense of community ownership and responsibility.
• Increase in use of allotments due to multiple factors – pleasant environment, safer as more people around, paid staff able to keep an eye on site and provide expertise, advice and mentoring.
• Health benefits for local people – healthy eating, exercise, mental welfare by taking responsibility for their own food and learning new skills.
• Raise profile of Bradford as showcase of best practice in community and urban regeneration.
• Provide employment and volunteering opportunities
• Satellite project (brought into operation once sufficient motivated tenants on site) run as self managed allotment site providing variable sized plots ranging from starter micro plots to larger standard plots

Please fill in our survey about this project - Local food survey 

Timeline

1. Preliminary discussion with Janette, Council Allotment Officer regarding feasibility, leases, etc. [done 23/10/08]
2. Contact existing plot holders letting them know what is happening. [done]
3. Complete business plan [first draft completed]
4. Work with community groups and local residents to prove need, desire and support for project. [begun]
5. Apply for funding for site clearance [done] and capital costs

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