A new support package to help Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to grow and prosper in Wales has been announced by Tyfu Cymru, working in partnership with Social Farms & Gardens.
CSA is a partnership between farmers and consumers in which the responsibilities, risks and rewards of farming are shared.
The new support package will be available to around 40 established and emerging CSAs in Wales together with those considering CSA as a viable option for their farm or community growing project.
Together with Social Farms & Gardens, Tyfu Cymru will be delivering a range of support. This includes training delivery and workshops, a suite of resources, including sharing best practice, tailored one-to-one project support, specialist planning advice and resources and facilitation of a Tyfu Cymru led CSA Network.
This dedicated support, which will directly complement the work of the CSA Network UK, will run initially for 12 months and will contribute towards Tyfu Cymru’s overall aim of building opportunities and stimulating sustainable growth in Wales’ commercial horticulture sector through training and development.
Sarah Gould, Tyfu Cymru Programme Manager said: “We are excited to be launching this new package of support in partnership with Social Farms & Gardens, which will be available to both established and emerging CSAs in Wales. CSAs have the potential to thrive here in Wales”.
Gary Mitchell, Wales manager for Social Farms & Gardens, says: “This exciting partnership opens an important new chapter in our work, building on the momentum of delivering support to CSA’s in Wales over the last three years through our Tyfu Fyny project.
“Working with Tyfu Cymru and Lantra will allow us to bring in the commercial expertise to community horticulture here in Wales, building capacity for a more sustainable future for home grown produce in Wales.”
Tyfu Cymru supports commercial growers and horticulture businesses prepare for and capitalise on new market opportunities through training and development for the horticulture sector.
Tyfu Cymru is a project led by Lantra Wales, the Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries, in partnership with ADAS, Puffin Produce and Glyndŵr University. The project is funded through the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Programme, which is part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Social Farms & Gardens is a UK wide charity, with a 40-year history of supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together.
CSA is more than just a different way of selling food. These community food businesses actively build cohesive communities around local food. Members are often involved in running the enterprise, for example volunteering on the field or in the packing shed, helping with financial management and marketing and facilitating access to land or capital investment.
