COFARM
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT Growing Up IN THE FIRST OF A NEW SERIES, MIRIAM BALANESCU SCOUTS OUT THE WORK AT COFARM THAT’S NOURISHING CAMBRIDGE – AND THE NATION
worm anywhere. Now we have lots of creatures in the soil and plenty of worms that you can see, because of all the microbial activity. It’s coming to life!” Responsible for CoFarm’s traction, volunteers are truly the charity’s lifeblood. “Some people say they come rather than going to the gym,” says Peter. “Others want to learn how to grow food, some want to change career into horticulture, some want to meet people.” CoFarm has seen its team blossom, from those drawn to volunteering after accessing greens donated at food hubs, to experienced allotmenters. “We have 18-year-olds to octogenarians. People take it at their own pace and it’s really nice to see the dynamics of different people all coming together,” says Dominic. An Essex University study of CoFarm showed all participants experienced a mental health benefit from volunteering. Encouraging community cohesion and tackling hunger on a large scale, CoFarm is working with Cambridge Sustainable Food on their gold sustainable food campaign.
or many traipsing across Coldham’s Common or going for a morning run,
an expanse of raked earth in the distance, where bold wild flowers peep through, and further land is nestled neatly behind fences, has long been a point of curiosity. CoFarm, founded in 2019, is still in its spring shoots – though big things are ahead. The brainchild of education specialist Gavin Shelton – devising a triple-threat plan to grapple inequality, biodiversity and climate change challenges – over 300 members of the local community were involved with its design. Cambridge has become the pilot project for a nationwide scheme to turn 1% of agricultural land into community farms. “In Cambridge, it’s difficult to find land that hasn’t been earmarked for property development,” Gavin says. Four sites had already fallen through by the time planning proposals were signed off in March 2020. “Cambridge is the most unequal city in the country, so this is a good place to start.”
THE VISION CoFarm’s aim is to bring people together to grow and share nutritious food – and build healthier ecosystems. Join Dominic (top) and Peter (above)
While they have already achieved much, the full plan is yet to come to fruition: the recently planted orchard will soon produce fruit, and a green woodworking site and community kitchen barn – for farm-to- table dining – are on their way. “We live in a time when you can’t turn the TV or radio on, or pick up a newspaper, without the picture looking bleak,” says Gavin. “We’re trying to demonstrate you can have agency over these larger-than-self issues – and it’s actually really fun.” “People need to connect with nature,” he continues. “It’s hardwired in our psyche. Having hands in the soil, with the sounds of birds and insects buzzing around – we underestimate how important that is.” cofarm.co
different to what you find in a supermarket, so when it gets to the food hub it becomes a talking point,” says Dominic. This diversity aside, CoFarm has also rewilded four acres and created ponds to encourage amphibians – natural pesticides. Food is protected purely using biological controls. “We’re creating an ecosystem, basically,” says Dominic. “The number of species is amazing – from greenfinches to nightingales.” In collaboration with the RSPB, CoFarm is working with four other farms to reduce pesticides. Cambridgeshire has notoriously poor- quality soil, so CoFarm’s efforts are no mean feat. “It’s tough to work, but once you get it moving, it’s great,” says Dominic. “We got on the site and there wasn’t a
Steered by horticulturalists Peter Wrapson and Dominic Walsh, the charity provides much-needed nourishment for nine food hubs across Cambridge – with their 30 years of kitchen gardening and conservation knowledge the charity’s crux. Over 500 volunteers lend a crucial helping hand to keep things growing. With the charity getting off the ground, it can be difficult to predict yield – although CoFarm has donated ten tonnes to food hubs to date. “They’re just happy to get fresh food that’s high quality, because it’s very tin and dry-food heavy,” says Peter. One crop has multiplied to 55, and over 150 fruit trees of 73 varieties have now been planted, resulting in a rainbow of produce. “We’ll often grow things that are a bit
50 JUNE 2022 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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