Gibside Community Farm CIC

Gibside Community Farm was established as a member co-operative Community Interest Company in 2013, In 2017 we finally moved all our growing to a 13.5 acre (5.5ha) field on Fellside Rd near Burnopfield leased to us by Gibside National Trust. We became fully organic, certified by the Soil Association. We have planted a small orchard of over 40 apple trees, all varieties chosen to grow well locally and have planted over 1000 native trees and shrubs as a shelterbelt, essential for our exposed and windy situation. We have two large polytunnels where we grow a variety of salads, beans and tomatoes. Agroforestry tree rows support our horticulture. The large field plots are worked with the help of a 60 year old Ferguson tractor and we grow potatoes, leeks, garlic, onions and brassicas in bulk and we have a smaller market garden area, Most of the work is done by volunteers and we run a veg bag scheme, selling fresh organic vegetables locally.