[edendream]

We have a smallholding near Carmarthen, Wales and we have more land than we need so we are hoping to turn our six acre field into a self contained smallholding on a membership basis.

We are basing our plan on Hempsals Community Farm (thank you so much to them for the idea!).

We are looking for members.  Full time members, part time members, weekend members and "friends" of. 

The field is waiting.

We have a lot on our plate as we are trying to start an Art Exhibition along the barn wall.  We have a herd of 30+ goats and the place is also an earthworks so we are hoping to start doing something for the general public in 2018.  We are also writing novels and trying to do things with Widget and Gadget the puppets (one of the books is about them).  We are trying to set up a storytelling area... we have too much on!

So the farming side would be best handled by a Community Project and we like the way that Hempsals Farm is set up.  We want to give people the opportunity to grow their own (veg, eggs, animals and honey) without having to give up their life. 

We are looking for people who live nearby who can put in the hours regularly, people who might like to visit at weekends and people who would like to come occasionally.  We can offer rough camping and there is a camp site nearby and probably plenty of B&Bs if you want a smallholding holiday.  I'm sure we can incorporate that.

Basically, not everyone can own a smallholding, so why not share one?

But, it has been slow and we are finding it hard to find members.  We have advertised on Facebook (Carmarthen Members of Shared Smallholding)  www.old-castle.co.uk and there is a section on my web site www.edendream.co.uk and we are wondering if a card drop around the area might help. 

Any ideas anyone? 

[Louise Gaunt]

Local allotment society? Have they a waiting list of people sho might be interested in joining you rather than waiting for an allotment? Current allotment holders who would like more space, ability to raise meat as well as vegetables and fruit?

[Backinwellies]

Not trying to knock your idea but I rather think a lot of people in Carmarthenshire who want land have some (I live here and am surrounded by smallholdings and people with hens and pigs in their gardens.)

I certainly think you might need a targeted approach to marketing....

[bazzais]

I hope the idea works for you, the sound of it is ideal.

The idea of sharing the place for the benefit of all in a very good idea.

Its hard to find people that are willing to grow and produce their own food instead of earning money in a job and buying it cheap from mass production though.

It makes sense to build community.

Wish you well.

Baz

[Steph Hen]

There must be so many people who would love this opportunity. Makes me wonder if we couldn't do something here 
All the best and let us know how it all goes.

[Zoe wilson]

I live near you. Are you still looking for people?  I have been managing livestock poultry and growing veg for years and am looking for somewhere to continue doing this. If you are still looking please email me zoe_wilson50@hotmail.com