A sunny stroll through giant maize fields with a fantastic backdrop of Manchester shimmering in the distance took us to Kindling’s Farmstart site, the first stop on the walk, where the 25 visitors were impressed with the wide range of organic veg being grown by the brand new growers on the scheme.
Co-ordinator Kirstin explained that Farmstart is the UK’s very first incubator farm, making it possible for people to start farming (and feeding our city!) without the vast amounts of capital and experience normally needed. Visitors were shown the ¼ and 1/8 acre plots that the site’s divided into, with potential for each grower to expand each year. Whilst the scheme’s still in its infancy, a wide range of veg, herbs and strawberries were on display.
Farmstart is being supported by the Princes Countryside Trust and the A-Team Foundation, and aims to counter our aging farming population and a shortage of organic growers in the North West. To Lisa Reid, a member of nearby Low Carbon Lymm, its importance was clear - “What a great food project on my doorstep! I’ve met a load of great people, who I look forward to working with to encourage local food consumption”. From much further afield, Richard from Peterborough agreed "FarmStart is a great programme - providing training and land to get people through the first hard years of commercial organic growing makes so much sense”.
The walkers were also impressed with the work of the visiting Land Army, helping Farmstarters make new strawberry plants from the runners. One visitor commented “it’s great to see such an enthusiastic group of people wanting to get involved in growing our veg!”
After a lovely walk back along the country lanes to Abbey Leys Farm, we were welcomed by the owners and farmers Janet and Tim Harrison, and a great range of Janet's freshly baked cakes! Their family have been farming the land for 3 generations, producing eggs, potatoes and vegetable since the 1930’s. They told us about converting the farm to organic in 1999, and their more recent decision to hand over the vegetable growing to the Farmstarters. A tour of the organic chicken houses and the orchard (planted by Kindling), ended for many in a trip to the farm shop to take home some of the delicious fresh goodies on offer.
The walk was one of many taking place nationally for the Prince’s Countryside Fund’s to celebrate the British countryside and the people who live and work in our rural areas. What better way than to introduce people to their farmers! One rambler commented 'I never knew anything about organic farming so it was very interesting'.
Sheila Kabbani, leader of Trafford Ramblers was also happy with the day calling it ‘a success all round”. Huge thanks to them for co-organising the day and leading the walk.