ABOUT THE FARM...
River Bourne Community Farm is a 'not-for-profit' enterprise in Laverstock, Salisbury, providing the community with a working open farm, meeting place and education centre. The farm aims to reconnect people of all ages and backgrounds with food, farming and the environment.
THE CAFE PROJECT
The farm is fundraising to build a purpose built warm and comfortable community cafe to replace the portacabin and draughty outdoor seating area that the farm has been using up to now.
The creation of the community cafe will lift the profile of the farm considerably and many more people will be able to enjoy what the farm has to offer particularly young families, the elderly and walkers using the farm's nature trails. The new building will act as a venue for community events, activities and meetings. There will be full disabled access.
We have so far been successful in raising the funds needed to put up the building and we are pleased to say that work is now underway. However, funds are still urgently needed to fit out the kitchen and seating area and install all of the necessary electrics and to create a spacious outdoor seating area to the front of the cafe. The farm needs a further £20K to make this happen.
Please help us to provide you with this warm and cosy meeting place which will be located in the heart of the farmyard.
The new cafe will not only be a fantastic community amenity offering wholesome and reasonably priced food and drink but it will also provide sustainable income, reducing the farm's reliance on grants and donations. This in turn will allow the farm to continue to provide services to the community and educational opportunities to the young people of Wiltshire for many years to come.
WHY IS THE FARM IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY...
The farm is run by a small staff and a large team of volunteers. Volunteers are involved in the day to day running of the farm, feeding and caring for the farm animals, collecting eggs, leading farm tours and carrying out repairs and improvements to the farm.
Entry to the farm is free for everyone and all donations to the farm are used to build new facilites and hold free events for the community to enjoy.
Over 2000 primary school children visit the farm each year for guided tours with our trained volunteer farm leaders. The children are involved with feeding the farm's animals, collecting eggs and taking part in 'farm to fork' activities.
The farm has an important role as a BTEC Centre and an Accredited Provider of Alternative Education for young people from Wiltshire and Hampshire who come to the farm to study BTEC courses in Animal Care and Vocational Studies. Education plays a large part in the life of the farm. Students gain tremendous benefit from the day to day work of the farm as an inspirational outdoor learning resource.
The farm provides the community with meat, eggs and honey and other local produce all of which will be on sale in the cafe and used to cook up delicious lunches.
Together we can create a fantastic community amenity and help to secure the future of the farm.
Please take a look at the farm's website to see more of what we are about...
http://www.riverbournecommunityfarm.org.uk
Thank you from the Community Farm team