We are often told about the very positive impact of the school farm before it was closed in 2014. The school farm is a standalone section of the wider school premises and constitutes a modern and purpose-built agricultural building of approximately 60 feet by 20 feet surrounded by 2 acres of securely fenced paddock area.
Despite its closure in 2014, the building itself remained largely intact and as a result we were able to re-open in 2022. It now houses chickens, turkeys, goats, pigs and guinea pigs. You can read more about our reopening here: https://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/20128423.college-reopens-two-acre-school-farm-facility/
Our local industries are closely associated with food production, food processing, forestry and rural tourism, all of which have well publicised skills shortages. That said, we do not underestimate the time and resource that it has taken to bring this project to fruition and ensure it remains sustainable and viable moving forward.
As a result, we are crowdfunding to raise money to support further growth and meet ongoing costs associated with our on-site farm. This is a very diverse project and we will use the monies we fundraise to purchase materials to build animal enclosures, to refurbish paddock fencing and to design and create enrichment areas. All of these spaces are at the very heart of the farm facility and play a significant role in supporting students' social and emotional development which underpins all that we do as a school.
Crowdfunding works on the principle that if lots of people give a little, big things can be achieved! Our plans are ambitious but we know that they are within reach. Crowdfunding platforms, including the one that we use, operate by providing an online space to host a fundraising campaign and handle payments when people donate to us. If you are able to contribute to our crowdfunding campaign, no matter how small your donation may be, please do so.