CELEBRATING a more sustainable way of life for ourselves and our planet, Farnham Community Farm‘s Sustainability Fayre was back again - seeking to build on the break-out success of last year’s inaugural event in Gostrey Meadow.

There was an array of local produce to sample on Saturday, June 9, as well as a number of enlightening talks from nutritionists and fitness coaches to beekeepers and brewers.

Yoga workshops were also due to be held throughout the day, with plenty of activities and storytelling sessions for kids from start to finish.

Alongside all of this, a crowdfunding campaign was launched in order to raise money for Farnham Community Farm. The target of £15,000 will make a huge impact on the organisation for many years to come.

Founded in 2008, Farnham Community Farm is a vegetable growing organisation which provides freshly picked bags of veg every week for its members.

Farm co-ordinator Katie Forman said: “New people are signing up to try a four-week trial of our veg, but as our membership and community outreach grows we need to step-up our ability to grow vegetables, and improve facilities for our volunteers.”

She added: “The public’s support is vital to help us achieve our target. We would like to grow for more households. There is huge demand, and enough land, but at the moment with our current resources we are limited to 60 [households]. Approximately 20 more veg bag members would allow us to be financially self-sufficient and no longer rely on grants to cover any staff salaries.”

Donations to the crowdfunding campaign will go toward purchasing a renewable energy supply for the farm as currently there is no electricity at its main growing site, West Farm in Runfold.

A bank of solar panels and batteries will also help run things like heated benches in the plant nursery. While essential equipment that helps to grow pesticide-free vegetables, such as insect mesh and bird netting, is an important factor when wanting to provide the very best seeds and veg.

Contributions will also go toward stepping up security at the farm after the farm’s small tractor and some major tools were stolen from West Farm in April.

In terms of improvements for the farm’s three paid staff and volunteers, there are plans to install a second shed to use as an office or winter break room and a compost toilet, replacing the farm’s existing three-sided shed with some straw on the ground.

Prizes can be won in exchange for donations. Some rewards include a pair of tickets to a farm-to-table dining experience and a one-to-one embroidery lesson from textile artist and member Sarah Chatterton, as well as cream tea for two at Okomoko vegan cafe in Farnham town.

For more information and to donate to the campaign visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/farnham-community-farm/