Two award winners at the NULCVS awards ceremony

Both Ian and Kelvin BOTH won an award each at tonights awards ceremony presented by NUL community and Voluntary services and partners awards ceremony held at Keele Hall.
A very well done to Ian for winning the Trustee of the year award 2011 and Kelvin for winning the Volunteer of the year award 2011.
Fantastic achievement and so well deserved :)

NCVS Awards Ceremony 28 November 2011

We have two finalists in the running for Newcastle Voluntary Services (NCVS) awards ceremony on the 28 November 2011 at Keele Hall.
Well done Kelvin your in the final three for Volunteer of the year and to Ian for Trustee (Director) of the year 2011
GOOD LUCK guys you both deserve the nomination and we hope you go all the way and win :)
Love from all at farm2grow :)

Cooker donated

We ave just had a cooker virtually for free donated so thanks Rosie and John x

please vote for us http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/3295

Please help us to help more people by registering and voting for us
http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/3295
Every vote counts so please support us only 14 days to go :) your help and support is so needed
thanks
All at farm2grow

New arrivals on farm

We have just purchased some silkies (chickens) they are lovely :)
Had to move mum and baby chicks into another ark to make room but they are settling in just fine

Farm2grow now officially an accredited learning centre

Brilliant news:

I went to Wolverhampton this week to welcome meeting for OCN accreditation.

We can now deliver OCN and NOCN qualifications watch this space for courses planned for next year

Thanks to all who helped prepare the documents and get us ready for the inspection visit, a special thanks to Liz for the templates and Emily for the prep work and policy updates.

Farm2grow: farm2grow sign up sponsored by Moorlands Housing :...

Farm2grow: farm2grow sign up sponsored by Moorlands Housing :...: "Thanks to our volunteers dedication we now have our sign up so people can find us easier. Well done guys"

farm2grow sign up sponsored by Moorlands Housing :)

Thanks to our volunteers dedication we now have our sign up so people can find us easier.
Well done guys

Preparing for AGM Wed 20July 2011

Working on reports for AGM next week cant believe its 2 years already what have we achieved in the last 2 years:)
Met Prince of Wales
purchased and erected Poly tunnel
Won Wes Midlands Youth Employer of the year
Produce to sell
Purchased and erected Yurt
Disabled toilet
Numerous courses
2 Event days
25 People employed through the Future Jobs scheme
increased live stock LLamas, Horses, Chickens, Cows, Ducks and sheep
Created a car parking area
Signage
Dry Stone walling
Created growing plots and compost corner and raised beds
Built a pond
Had our first paid care seeker on site

Wow havent we been busy

Full steam ahead for Commissioning event day on 26 July

Good day today disabled toilet nearly done :) Well done guys disbled toilet nearly done despite rain, when the going gets tough the tough get going lol
Full steam ahead now for finishing touches preparing for the Commissioning event day.

6 towns Radio interview this afternnon

Log on to http://www.6towns.co.uk/ and Listen out for radio interview around 2.30 this afternoon talking about farm2grow and our commissioning open day later this month :)

Meeting with Mathew Ellis at Stafford County Council Re Staffordshire Care farming Cooperative

SCF cooperative continues developing day opportunities on the 9 farms around Staffordshire.
Great opportunities for people with health issues to work on the farms and experience a whole range of activities.  Web site coming soon will keep you posted :)

Preparing for open day on Tues 26 July for Commissioners GPs and Social Workers

Preparing to invite GP's Social Workers and Commissioners to care farming open day event if anyone knows of an organisation who is likely to commission our services please let me know and I will ensure they receive an invite
Thanks to everyone x

Today has been brilliant day first client very happy and our promotional leaflets have gone off to print

Thanks Charlotte for your hard work on putting the leaflet together
Our first paid client has gone away very happy and is visiting two days next week

First paid client arrives at farm2grow

At last our work is beginning to get recognition as we welcome our first paid client to farm2grow
I hope he has a fantastic time and leaves wanting more :)
Thanks to all the hard work of everyone involved :)
 

YURT up at last

Fantastic day we managed to get the yurt up and luckily the weather held off for the most of the time.  We all enjoyed a feast at lunch time of curry and vegetarian meal.
Well done everyone great milestone reached what a wonderful day spend with a group of wonderful people.

Farm2grow: Spectacular YURT Building day planned for Saturday...

Farm2grow: Spectacular YURT Building day planned for Saturday...: "Very exciting times as we are planning to put our yurt up this Saturday 11 June all welcome to join in the fun and celebrate our latest mile..."

Spectacular YURT Building day planned for Saturday 11 June

Very exciting times as we are planning to put our yurt up this Saturday 11 June all welcome to join in the fun and celebrate our latest milestone in the project.
Thanks to Stafford CC for helping to make this happen, in particular thanks to Sandra and Julie and to the hard work of our dedicated volunteers hope your looking forward to the event on Saturday :)
If you would like to know more about the project please come along and meet the team and don't forget your sun cream :) God willing we will have the weather on our side.
All the best Helen

Eventful morning at Staffs Council - Staffordshire care farming co-op

Had an eventful morning spent with my colleagues from Staffordshire Care farming Cooperative speaking to social workers and commissioners in Stafford promoting care farming, met some lovely people whom i hope to meet again soon.
Thanks guys

Yurt base nearly done and car park started

Car park plans coming along nicely cant believe how long it has been since i blogged :)
Time flies by so quickly everything in the garden is coming alive and we are busy recruiting for the next course which will involve rural craft activity days, animal husbandry and growing veg tuition.
We will be putting the yurt up very soon for the next course to start, its a very exciting time.

New funding to help people in Staffordshire Moorlands access eco therapy

Great news
Just been supported by the Community Wellbeing Fund to run a number of eco therapy sessions for people suffering from depression/anxiety living in Staffordshire Moorlands :)
Thanks to Shelley Davies and the panel at Staffordshire County Council
If you would lke to visit our farm for a number of half day sessions and spend time learning new skills, joing in craft activities, growing vegetables and/or spending time with the animals and you live in Staffordshire Moorlands please get in touch.  Numbers are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis so give us a call on 01782551833 and ask for Helen Bailey or send an e mail to helen@farm2grow.co.uk
Look forward to hearing from you real soon :)

F2G Board Meeting tonight

 This year is going to be an excellent year for farm2grow we are developing new projects all the time and we have our  meeting tonight to discuss the strategic element of the business, next week we will be holding a working party meeting to discuss the operational tactics of getting the yearly calendar of events in the diary and out to the public.

We have already set the date for an open day part funded and supported by the NCFI Thanks to Gaynor and Linda and all involved with the National Care farming initiative.  More news to come later regarding this event which will be aimed at Commissioners and GP practices and other health care professionals.

F2G Director attends BRAP Meeting in Birmingham

Went to a very interesting gathering yesterday in Birmingham, listened to Sharon Palmer CEO of RAWM brilliant event well done guys.  We all met up to celebrate the successes in the west midlands and to share what worked.  It certainly got the creative juices flowing
Thanks for the invite Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed the meeting titled How to sustain and support a vibrant third sector in the age of austerity.
Lots of good work and mentoring going on at the minute so thanks to the hosts and thanks to Midland Heart for supporting me to attend with Carolyn and Lynette great day:)

Farm2grow Director signs up for CIEH Food safety course level 3

Well done Emily for doing the level 3 food safety course Started it today a four day course so good luck with it I am sure you will pass

New Staff Member

Welcome to Jim who has joined us today in our venture to grow wonderful fresh produce with the use of chemicals will be a challange to keep the slugs at bay but one i am sure will be worth it :)
Had a good team meeting Thanks Guys
Andrew now getting going with the Planting Plan
Tom getting on with the Log Store disabled toilet and yurt base oh yes forgot to metion we are now proud owners of a 19ft yurt at long last, thanks to our friends at Staffs CC
Teresa is getting started on the animal information packs and Stacey sorting out the site office and sorting the animals feeding the llamas, cows, horses ducks and chickens its all good fun
Danny is busy moving soil to put in our potatoe patch and every one is enjoying the sun shine

New Additions

We have now new additions donated from Bucknall city farm in the form of 2 Llamas Chicko and Pirate
2 lovely Dexter cows mum and daughter and Mr and Mrs Peacock all settling in nicely