The Jubilee Farm Blog – Part 2
Date Published: 30th January 2024
My background has been in landscaping and garden design; I have loved my time within that industry, but I have always felt that a few will climb the ladder of ‘success’ by stabbing knives into the backs of others. Farming doesn’t feel like that; at least, I’ve not known it yet. Perhaps the piercing knives might catch up with me when I start planting my agroforestry system or when I don’t reach for a bag or a bottle to kill everything in sight; perhaps then the neighbouring farmers will glare from behind hedges, or maybe not, as they’ve torn their hedges down.
December was busy and good busy. Not with actual ‘farming’ but with getting to know more people within the industry who are lobbying for a better way of producing food. Last month, I had two pleasures: meeting with the Woodland Trust and ‘teaming up’ with Suffolk FWAG.
Back in October, I had registered my farm for trees with the Woodland Trust, and after a few gentle nudges, I was met with two wonderful advisors. One wet and windy morning, we walked the headlands of our two fields, sharing with them a vision of all Jubilee Farm could be. They had even sent their agroforestry specialist from Nottingham to come and see us. The morning was exciting and filled with possibilities and options. Trees on our farm need to serve two purposes: we need ecological and economic benefits from our trees; perhaps they are additional food sources, like the fruit and nut trees we need, or others for windbreaks to protect our crops and create shade for future livestock, and again others for fuel and fibre. Since the visit, I have written up and submitted my ‘wish list’, and we are working together on what and how the trees are used on the farm. If you have space for trees on your farm, I recommend contacting the Woodland Trust. They are there and ready to help.
My second visit was with Suffolk FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group). Expecting just two people, I was met with four excellent farming minds. It seems the mission of Jubilee Farm, to produce local, nutrient-dense food, like many of our CSA farms, has caught the attention of people with a far bigger punch than I. We walked the fields, shared yet more vision, and talked about how farming in this way can have positive impacts on the community and our food systems. The Suffolk FWAG is currently working with our local council to help tenant farmers establish themselves in their communities and roll out regenerative practices across council tenant farms. The work these guys are doing and advocating for is truly amazing, and if you have a FWAG in your area, I would totally recommend being in touch to see how they can help you too.
Planting a new spinnya
But that was all December, and January is upon us; in fact, it’s nearly over. It’s been a slower month than I had hoped. The letters I wrote and stuffed last month have been partly delivered, and I will be putting out around 500 in January. So far, no response, however whispers of ‘I will sign up to that but not yet’ have been caught on the wind. Website traffic has increased from 0 per day (we are brand new and haven’t yet promoted the new site) to an average of 5 per day, so I’m feeling positive about that. And as I write, people will have today received their first paycheck since Christmas, which I believe will have a very real impact on the current lack of sign-ups – we currently have eight signed and paid for and desire 50 this year.
Next week, once fully into February, I plan to go out and deliver the next 500 envelopes, which I should hopefully generate a far better response now people have a little spare change in their pockets. But it’s not all gloom and doom; 3 weeks ago, only a handful of people knew about our farm; now, at least 1000 people in the village know who we are. My minimal experience in marketing says that people need to hear the message and see the branding several times before they feel they can trust it. So we’re in a patient holding pattern, just putting things out on social media, delivering envelopes, placing signs around our farmland, all in an effort for people to see and trust us – it’s the long game.
One very exciting connection that did come from the letter drop is connecting with a local nutritionist whom I am meeting later this week. Nikki has a passion (and several qualifications) for the health of our bodies and our food, and our two businesses complement each other; we have a similar mission. We are going to work out how we can work together and what it looks like practically. Perhaps we will hold a local talk to invite people to record a webinar conversation or both!
Garlic planting
The mission of our CSA farms to produce high-quality food and build localised food systems is a huge one, and we’re up against giants, supermarkets with money, influence and an appeal to get things fast and easy. But, whilst they may be Goliath’s, I believe we’re David’s, and if you know the story, David chopped Goliath’s head off. So hang in there, guys, continue to build positive connections in our communities, and continue to shout about what we stand for, not what we stand against. I firmly believe people want this; people desire connection with land and creation, and that’s what we’re offering.
Until next time, be blessed,
Mike Long
Jubilee Farm
Bury St. Edmunds