What Are Community Farms?

0–5 min | Starter – What Does “Community” Mean in Farming?

Think & Pair (on board):

What does the word “community” mean? How might it change the way a farm works?

• Students jot down ideas – Brief pair discussion
• Teacher links responses to shared responsibility, cooperation, local benefit

5–15 min | Section A: What Are Community Farms?

Teacher Input – Core Definition (5 mins)

Explain:

• Community farms are shared agricultural spaces
• People work together to:
  • Grow crops -Sometimes raise animals-Support local food systems

In the UK they are usually small to medium scale and often:

• Owned or managed by:
  • Local groups – Charities- Cooperatives

Core values often include:

• Environmental responsibility
• Food access and fairness
• Education and skills sharing
• Social connection
• Ethical concern for animals

👉 They usually prioritise people, animals, and the planet above profit.

Typical Sizes (5 mins)

Use simple scale examples:

• 1–5 acres → market gardens, urban/peri-urban farms
• 5–20 acres → mixed horticulture, orchards, small livestock
• 20–100+ acres → rare, often historic land protected by communities

15–30 min | Section B: Community Farms in Practice (UK & Global)

UK Examples (8 mins)

🎥 Video 1: Fordhall Organic Farm (4:07) .

• North Shropshire, England
• 140 acres
• Raises cattle, sheep, pigs
• Runs community projects

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ATC5RXLnWU

🎥 Video 2: OrganicLea (4:02)

• Northeast London
• Workers’ cooperative
• Vegan organic growing
• 12 acres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv1tO2dwBuk&t=56s

Student focus while watching:

• One activity the farm does
• One way the community is involved

Global Examples (7-9 mins) 

(Chose one example or if time play both)

🎥 Green Connect Farm – Australia (6:46)

• Urban organic/permaculture farm
• Food production + community employment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IngZKB6NXs

🎥 Sadhana Forest – India & global sites (9:16)

• Ecological restoration
• Veganic agroforestry
• Community living

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJLHc1dg2YE&t=311s

Teacher emphasis:

• Names and structures of Community Farms differ globally
• Core principles remain similar

30–40 min | Section C: Benefits & Challenges

Paired Activity (5 mins)

Task:
In pairs, list:

• 3 benefits of community farms
• 3 challenges

Whole-Class Feedback & Clarification (5 mins)

Common benefits may include:
✔ Fresh local food ✔ Education and skills ✔ Stronger communities

✔ Environmental care

Common challenges may include:
✖ Funding ✖ Access to land ✖ Labour and time ✖ Resource management

Teacher summary:
Community farms can respond to challenges through:

• Strong community engagement
• Good organisation and planning
• Sustainable techniques and technology
• Supportive policies and networks e.g. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network UK is the primary advocate and supporter for Community Farms in the UK https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk/

40–50 min | Section D: Design a Local Community Farm

Group Design Task (10 mins)

Students design a local community farm, answering the following:

• Where would it be located?
• How much land would it use?
• How would it support nature and biodiversity?
• Would it keep animals? If so, which and why?
• What crops or foods would it grow and why?
• What skills and knowledge would be needed?
• Where could help or training come from?
• What benefits would it bring to local people?

Students may sketch or bullet-point ideas.

50–55 min | Plenary – Sharing & Reflection

Groups briefly share one idea from their design.

Exit question (on board):

What is one reason community farms are important, and one challenge they face?

🧠 Assessment Opportunities

• Starter discussion
• Video note-taking
• Paired benefits/challenges task
• Farm design activity
• Exit question