Applications are now open for 2015 Test Croppers – the first year of our FarmStart programme introducing people to a new career in commercial organic vegetable production.
FarmStart Manchester is the UK’s only organic incubator farm project. It was set up to support people to become field-scale growers to supply Greater Manchester with fresh, healthy, organic produce. The programme offers a low-risk environment in which new growers can test and develop their growing skills, business plans and marketing strategies, with the benefit of access to a training programme, certified organic land, packing and tool storage facilities, and peer support.
“The FarmStart programme allowed me to channel my passion and values and to take risks, while introducing me to the world of preparing, growing, distributing and selling food. For me, this is the right route to farming. Going to college or doing a placement wouldn’t have had quite the same effect”. FarmStarter Caroline, 2014.
Test Cropping is the first year of the programme, and is focused on training and mentoring to develop the skills needed to start out as a commercial organic grower. Growing is carried out on a shared ¼ acre training section of the FarmStart site, with access to shared tools, packing facilities, and the compost loo! All for an annual programme fee of £500 (which contributes towards the cost of running the programme).
The comprehensive training programme covers crop planning and rotation, growing under plastic, Soil Association record keeping, book-keeping for small agricultural enterprises, soil bed preparation and weed management, pest and disease management, tool maintenance and machinery use, composting, irrigation, soil fertility, pricing and packaging, estimating your harvest, harvest techniques and post-harvest handling, green manures and MORE!
It is designed to give new growers a firm foundation on which to build a viable growing business in years two and three of the programme. After the first year, TestCroppers may become FarmStarters and move onto their own section of land - either 1/8 or ¼ of acre. From then, the focus will be on honing growing skills and building a marketing strategy and company identity, and heading towards getting their own land to grow on.
"It doesn't get much better than half an hour down the road. As a Veg Buyer at Unicorn Grocery, this is the 'field to plate' freshness offered to us by Farmstart. It's been great to witness novice growers getting such a buzz from seeing their produce on our shelves. Our involvement has afforded them the opportunity to get to grips with the retail end of growing... customers' quality expectations, pricing etc. Not that quality has been an issue, the produce delivered to us in the past two seasons has been excellent. The next challenge will be whether the Farstart-ers can convert their enthusiasm & newfound skills into viable organic growing businesses. Hopefully the answer is yes, certainly Farmstart is exactly the kind of enterprise we feel is invaluable in nurturing budding organic growers".
Dan Weston, Veg Buyer, Unicorn Grocery
If you're interested in applying, please email helen@kindling.org.uk for an application form - the deadline for applications is 6pm on Sunday 30th November, 2014. Applicants will be notified by Friday 5th December and if accepted, and will be required to pay a deposit of £100 by Monday 15th December. Contracts will be available to sign from 1st February (on paying the annual prgramme fee of £500), and access to the land is from 1st March (or the date of the 1st training). Good luck!
If you would like to visit FarmStart before applying to join the programme, there is a Land Army Trip to FarmStart on Friday 14th November. Places are limited so please book on in advance by emailing corrina@kindling.org.uk
Photo of George (now entering this 3rd year at FarmStart). Photo taken by Joneve Murphy on her global study visit over the Summer of 2014. To see more of her beautiful photos please visit: http://www.farmerseekingroots.com/