update on 13/11/23

Here is an update from Barbara and Casha, apologies for it not coming sooner. One problem is they are always so busy – cows being milked, animals and crops being tended to, pets being healed – so it is difficult to have time to put to this, which is why I (Pip) a friend of the family took on starting the crowdfunding thing last month when they were literally 3 weeks away from disaster.

The situation now is that they still need money to keep the wolves from the door long enough to get the long term solutions up and running. (That involves sorting the big funding for the 1.4m owed on this amazing 170 acre piece of Shropshire paradise which being totally organic is now home to so much in the way of wildlife and plants alongside the farm itself. It is an oasis. they have managed to pay 23k so far (nearly 18k thanks to people’s generosity on here) and the next payment of 13k is due this Saturday. Please continue to share, donate, anything you can manage is a help. Your generosity and messages of support have given them a huge morale boost and they are determined to make this project succeed. Here is the message from Babbinswood:

Dear Amazing Supporters,

We're truly inspired by your positivity, generosity, and kindness. The funds raised so far have paved the way for our vision of creating a community-centered business at the heart of our farm.

Farming, once deeply rooted in the connection between land, animals, nature, and people, has shifted over the last 50 years, with machines replacing the human touch in the pursuit of efficiency. This transformation has taken a toll on both the farming community and individuals, turning it into a lonely and stressful venture that adversely affects mental health.

On the flip side, people have become increasingly disconnected from the origins of their food and the journey it takes to reach their dinner table, leading to a surge in mental health issues. Our mission is to reverse this trend by bringing people back to the farm.

Babbinswood Farm, once a bustling community just 60 years ago, could once again be the vibrant center it once was. Imagine our courtyard buildings hosting a community center for land-based businesses, and our fields becoming home to people once more.

Thanks to your support, we've gained assistance from COOPs UK to register our community-centered farm dream. We're gearing up to launch our community share offer in December, a crucial step towards turning this vision into reality. Babbinswood Farm can reclaim its role as a nurturing center for people, animals, and sustainable energy.

However, our journey is not complete, and we still need funds to secure the farm in our custodianship. In a few weeks, another payment is due, and we have a target of raising an additional 32K before December 18th, alongside the upcoming community share offer. Your continued support, whether through sharing, spreading positivity, or donations, will make a world of difference.

Together, let's make Babbinswood Farm a thriving hub once again. Please help us achieve this dream!

With gratitude,

Barbara, Casha, and all at Babbinswood

Please give as much as you can, and SHARE SHARE SHARE