Handley Farm: Grower/s needed to take on CSA
Date Published: 2nd December 2024
Handley Farm near Belper in Derbyshire is looking for a grower/s (ideally a couple) to take on a recently established CSA. Also onsite, they have a care farm, a men’s shed, a restaurant, a milking herd of goats from which they produce cheese to sell at local markets, two recently planted orchards and a herbal labyrinth. Find out more about the farm.
The CSA has 1.5 acres of land (we also have room to expand) which has
- 15 established raised beds with adjoining paths covered with mypex and woodchip. Several of the beds are already planted up with brassicas, leeks, swede, celeriac
- A large squash patch mulched heavily with manure for the previous season
- 15 currant bushes
- 5 gooseberry bushes
- A large greenhouse
- A 20metre polytunnel with space beside it for another 3 similar tunnels. The tunnel is partially planted up with winter salads
- Mains water supply
- An established 4-bay compost system
- Use of a large, well-rotted manure heap from our herd of cattle and goats
- Plenty of woodchip of various ages
- A mobile chicken coop is moved from one raised bed to another to get the chickens to clear weeds, etc
They have an established CSA membership with
- 20 regular members
- An admin subscription system set up on the Open Food Network
- Access to a very supportive local community who support the on-farm restaurant, the Bull Shed
They are offering
- Use of a 2-bedroom static caravan on the CSA site free of charge (but you pay for your own utilities, ie LPG and electric)
- A share of the CSA income to be agreed
- Remote support from a mentor
To discuss, contact Tony: lucysfarm@myyahoo.com