VegVan Community Farm - Permaculture and Education

What is the need for your project in the community? How will your project improve local life?

There is a requirement for the nation to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables that are consumed in order to reap nutritional benefits. As a result, one person per household would need to spend £2,400 per year to consume enough nutrients to get a fully balanced diet. We do not believe people should pay such large amounts for food that can be almost free. VegVan Community Farm wants to bridge the gap between buying and growing vegetables, and impact as many households as possible.

Providing a local service to the next generation of children creates a platform from which they can learn how to grow vegetables, positively influencing people to build a strong relationship with nature and what it has to offer. Growing your own vegetables, understanding why they are good for you, and how to be environmentally friendly is the permaculture way. VegVan Community Farm aims to alleviate social tension by reducing stress and improving physical health and well bieng, provide an after-school service, whilst gaining the status as an alternative education provision through Derbyshire County Council. VegVan Community Farm helps parents who are juggling work and childcare in one ring fenced service to promote a healthier nation of children.

What support do you have from the local community for your project?

VegVan Community Farm has the support of many businesses across Derbyshire from construction firms to local suppliers. We have identified a gap in the services offered to the local community and as a result have met many parents, including friends and family, who are struggling with childcare, especially those who are self-employed. Recent measures put in place to protect against COVID-19 have led increasing numbers of people to become health conscious and concerned about group activities. Our service is out in the open with plenty of space for children to learn and grow. These factors have strengthened our desire to make the community farm a safe learning place for children. Children can come to the farm, participate in warm up yoga, learn about compost, plants, vegetables, ecological cycles, nutrition and go home fed and watered, having eaten our own nutritious meals in the green gym. There is a shuttle service, so parents do not need to worry about transport, time or added expense. There is an increasing demand for this service, whereas previously few were able to step back from their busy working lives to see what contribution they could make.

Who will benefit from your project?

Children and young adults in the Derbyshire area will be able to come and use the farm to learn how to develop and grow in a permaculture environment. VegVan Community Farm offers the service for up to 16 children in after school, or school holiday sessions. The population of 796,142 in Derbyshire will have inclusive access regardless of household income. It is important that all of society can get access to eating healthy food, a place in nature, and to be socially interactive with other children of a similar age group. The project benefits so many people: the parents needing a break, the children wanting to learn, be outdoors and active, the populations health and the intrinsic social values that a community environment can evoke, especially with regards to mental and physical well-being. With the shuttle service that is offered, it does not matter if you drive or not, all children can attend. Meaning more people can share in the fun. We will also have outdoor cooking sessions and family sharing gatherings where adults can come and participate in community events.

Added information about why we have chose to raise fund through Calor and Crowdfunder:

I have raised money through friends, family and the wider public to support VegVan, the street food company in its infancy, however due to the pandemic I have had to put all social, marketing and street food events on hold. I have a total of £2,400 from that crowdfund and we need to gain a further £7,600 to achieve our Community Farm goal. With the prospect of £5,000 Calor grant match funded we would only have £2,600 left to raise. As such, we are looking to the community to like, share and donate to support this worthy and necessary cause.

The education programs that we offer, will target schools and childcare/day-care centres so that more people are aware of our services that are offered in conjunction to current regulations and education guidelines. 

The nutritional information taught within our sessions is supplied by the British Association of Nutritional Therapists, providing a joint opportunity to build greater health among children and young adults. 

The government have raised concerns about the effects that the global pandemic may have on the nutritional health of the public due to the downturn of our economy, as well as the measures implemented for safety restricting access to nutritional produce. Furthermore, there is a growing concern that the land available for agricultural cultivation is insubstantial for the British population, without subsidiaries of external imports. Increasing numbers of people want to know where the food that they are eating is coming from. VegVan community farm wants to alleviate that concern by creating local produce available to the community and giving everyone the tools to grow organic fruit and vegetables at home, even if you live in a flat.

A breakdown of the costs of the project so you can see where your money will be going:

Vermont Summer House - £729 Raised Beds Wood x 4 - £49.99 - £199.96 Seeds - £300.54 Fertiliser/ Biochar x 6 - £113.94 Water Filtration System - £72.72 Poly Tunnels x 2 - £526 -£1,052 Glass Green Houses x 2 - £369.99 - £739.98 Tool Set x 10 - £12.95 - £129.95 Compost Heap - £119.95 + £39.99 - £159.94 Cutters - 13.99+9.99x5 - £63.94 Toilet and Hut x 2 - £145 + £180 - £650 Water Pump - £627 Plastic Portable Tables x 8 - £29.95 - £239.60 Bench Tables x 4 - £151.20 - £604.80 Fire Pit x 2 - £73.99 - £147.98 Cane - £50 Bricks - £80 Water Trough - £1,122 Trellis x 4 - £126 - £508 Generator x 2 - £479 - £958 Tool Shed x 2 - £49.99 - 98.98 Bee Hive - 226.99 Bean Bags x 16 - £10.88 - £174.08 Wooden Shelter - £226.99 Fridge - £89.99 = £9,459.34 Decking - £1.50 per meter X 360.44m - £540.66 = £10,000