Aims
Blackhaugh Community Farm is working to create an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable community farm, which aims to:
· Provide affordable access to land for people to live and work sustainably
· Produce low-impact food and plants, primarily for local sale
· Facilitate learning, training and social experiences on the farm
· Be an asset to our local community
· Work collectively to self-govern, manage and pursue shared ownership of the farm
Objectives
1. Host, recruit and promote projects which fit our aims
2. Research, develop and sustain models for collective self-governance
3. Provide projects with affordable and secure tenancies and regular reviews
4. Facilitate cooperation, communication and sharing of resources between projects
5. Create and maintain shared facilities, infrastructure and resources, including tools, buildings, communal land and renewable energy
6. Organise and support public events, volunteering and training experiences on the farm that bring people together to learn and socialise.
7. Foster well-being and friendships within our farm community through work days and social gatherings for farm residents, workers & volunteers
8. Host temporary accommodation for farm workers and visitors and explore long-term affordable housing on the farm
9. Research and enact a timeline towards farm ownership
10. Manage the land in a way that improves wildlife habitat and biodiversity
Values
Wider values
*Autonomy: Self-government; freedom to act or function independently.
These aims, objectives and values were created through a collective process by the people who help manage the farm.
Blackhaugh Community Farm is working to create an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable community farm, which aims to:
· Provide affordable access to land for people to live and work sustainably
· Produce low-impact food and plants, primarily for local sale
· Facilitate learning, training and social experiences on the farm
· Be an asset to our local community
· Work collectively to self-govern, manage and pursue shared ownership of the farm
Objectives
1. Host, recruit and promote projects which fit our aims
2. Research, develop and sustain models for collective self-governance
3. Provide projects with affordable and secure tenancies and regular reviews
4. Facilitate cooperation, communication and sharing of resources between projects
5. Create and maintain shared facilities, infrastructure and resources, including tools, buildings, communal land and renewable energy
6. Organise and support public events, volunteering and training experiences on the farm that bring people together to learn and socialise.
7. Foster well-being and friendships within our farm community through work days and social gatherings for farm residents, workers & volunteers
8. Host temporary accommodation for farm workers and visitors and explore long-term affordable housing on the farm
9. Research and enact a timeline towards farm ownership
10. Manage the land in a way that improves wildlife habitat and biodiversity
Values
Wider values
- Industrial agriculture is destroying our planet and accelerating the climate crisis, small scale ecological farming systems offer viable solutions.
- Ecological farming draws down carbon and minimizes waste, reduces food miles, removes harmful pesticides, supports biodiversity and brings social benefits.
- Scotland has one of the most concentrated land ownership patterns in the world creating huge financial and practical barriers to new farmers, whilst perpetuating social inequality and biodiversity loss.
- Collective and decentralised land ownership models offer a more sustainable and equitable alternative.
- We operate primarily at a local level for local community benefit, but recognise that we are part of a wider movement tackling global challenges.
- Bringing projects and people together creates a forum to share skills, knowledge, perspectives and experiences both informally and formally.
- Access to shared resources and spaces reduces costs and helps build a culture of anti-consumerism, low waste and mutual aid*.
- Human relationships are central to our well-being, health and happiness. By spending time together and within our community our project fosters social interactions, friendships and well-being.
- Collective self-governance and decision making facilitates the sharing of power and responsibility.
- Autonomy and freedom allow projects on the farm to operate at their own pace in their own way, within collectively defined aims, objectives and values.
*Autonomy: Self-government; freedom to act or function independently.
These aims, objectives and values were created through a collective process by the people who help manage the farm.
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