Communities Fund has provided £1,132 of match funding
Building Biodiversity alongside our CSA
Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
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Aim
Cae Tan want to build more biodiversity at our fields by planting more green manures, supporting our agroforestry project, ponds and hedges
Who are we, and what is our project about?
Cae Tan is a not-for-private-profit Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme based on Gower. Established in 2014, we are Wales’s largest and most innovative CSA, recognised in UK and Europe as a leading example of community-based, sustainable farming. We aim to raise awareness of sustainable farming, reconnect people with the land and their food and teach new skills, bringing health and well-being benefits and supporting rural communities and economies. We grow organically, supplying fresh seasonal produce to 130 local households (300+ people). A core aim of CSA is to engage with people creating a real sense of community, ownership and proximity to their food. Cae Tan is situated within 20 minutes drive of some of the most deprived wards in Swansea and Wales and every week volunteers donate surplus veg to projects supporting those in need in Swansea.
Locally produced food grown in an environmentally friendly way benefits people, planet and community and is a vital part of ensuring resilience in local communities against the impacts of climate change. Locally grown food has a significantly reduced carbon footprint as it travels only short distances incurring very few food miles and involves less processing, handling and storing. Our produce goes directly to the consumer through a weekly pick-up, there is no plastic packaging and food is high in nutrients being organically grown and fresh from the field. As well as supplying local food our project is working hard to raise awareness of the importance of small scale local farming in looking after our local landscape and wildlife and protecting our community against the effects of climate change. We work extensively with volunteers and groups from all over Swansea. We work with local schools and go out into local communities and help people create veg beds and planters and support them through their first growing season.
Our fields are a thriving hub for our wide-ranging community of members, volunteers, directors, trainees, schools and families in deprived areas and other community groups. It’s where we grow vegetables and host volunteers, open days, community events, shared meals, school and group visits. We have an outdoor kitchen and space for people to come share food and feel welcome.
There is a community-led forest garden established and run by volunteers and the fields host a biodiverse ecosystem of birds, insects and mammals that we have encouraged over years of nature friendly practices.
We are constantly working to improve soil health and support biodiversity at our fields. We have an established agroforestry project and plenty of pollinator friendly plants alongside our growing areas.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding to support the costs of building biodiversity, encouraging local ecosystems and promoting wildlife alongside our CSA which grows seasonal veg organically and in an environmentally friendly way over 2 sites.
Planting green manure is great for soil health but also by choosing crops that encourage pollinators and support other species we can help our local wildlife thrive. We would like to do more of this and funding will cover costs of extra seed and planting.
We have introduced an agroforestry project and funding would also be used to support ongoing costs of looking after these trees and plants.
Our Ilston site has 2 large wildlife ponds which are full of life and we will use funds to maintain these ponds to ensure they continue to thrive.
Our fields have extensive hedges and we leave areas of long grasses to encourage wildlife. Again funding will be used to maintain these areas to continue to encourage wildlife in the future.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Be open and clear about how the money will be used. People are more likely to support your project when they can see exactly where their donation will go.
Please include a short breakdown or list of key costs. E.g.
£1,500 - green manures and other wildlife friendly plants
£2,000 - project running costs including salary costs
£1,500- maintaining ponds, hedges and areas of long grasses and wildflowers around field edges
How you can help
There are three simple ways to get involved and support our project:
1. Make a donation
Every pledge gets us closer to our goal. Early support can help build momentum and inspire others to give too.
2. Spread the word
Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.
3. Volunteer with us
If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through the ‘Contact’ section using the subject "I want to volunteer my time or expertise" on our project page.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 13th November 2026 at 12:07pm