News from Norwich FarmShare

Sorry to be posting this so late in the day: I've been working on the farm today, and when I got home I lay down for just a moment to rest my eyes. Next thing I know, it's two hours later and I haven't written the blog or done the washing up.

There's so much to talk about that's happened since last month.

The main thing that's occupying all our minds is this damned weather. We had planned on installing an irrigation system in the summer, expecting April showers and spring rains would keep our plants healthy until then. But there's been barely a drop of rain on the farm since Laura started growing there in March.

We realised that we had to change our plans and fast, and now (phew) we've got an irrigation pond which holds water we can irrigate our crops with as we need. Even with our spanking new irrigation system, it's hard to keep up with the amount of water the plants need to thrive. Lots of the seeds we've sown haven't even germinated yet as they haven't had enough water. Still, at least the local geese are enjoying our new pond.

There's been good news this month too, with an excellent write up in the EDP and Tully promoting the project in an interview on Radio Norfolk.

After interviewing several applicants we're pleased to welcome Tierney, our new part-time assistant grower, to give Laura an extra pair of hands on the farm.

Laura, Tierney and I headed-up a very well attended Open Meeting at Take Five earlier this month, a chance for people to come along and find out more about our farms and produce. We were delighted to fill the top floor of Take Five with local people keen to find out all about Norwich FarmShare, and to sign up two new members on the spot.

We're still looking for more people to sign up, as the farms can only be a success if they are able to sustain themselves financially. Each vegetable share that people commit to contributes to the money we need to pay our staff, buy seeds and machinery, run our tractor and van and all the other expenses that go into a farm.

As things stand at the moment, we do not have enough members to cover our costs.

This is why we need help in signing up more members. If you think you might like a share but you're not quite sure about the details, do get in touch with us via our website and we can give you more information.

If you've got friends or neighbours you've not yet told about Norwich FarmShare, now's the time!

We're holding an Open Day on the farm at Postwick on June 11th, starting at 12.30 pm, Absolutely everyone is welcome on the day: we hope to make it a real celebration of everything we've achieved so far. Laura and I will be offering tours of the farm, introducing you to all the crops we're growing and showing you the wildlife that shares our site. We'll have an opportunity for anyone who wishes to join in with the work on the farm for an hour or so, and lots of fun activities for children. We're also looking forward to a chance to share with you all the plans we have for the future.

We hope that you'll join us, and please do invite family and friends to come along on the day.

We can only be a success together.

Elena, on behalf of Norwich FarmShare

Pics: Baby peas in April, Elena. Geese and Open meeting, with thanks to Laura Creen.