More of The Farm’s space is being used in partnership with local organisations such as Liberation Larder to grow staple vegetables for the community. The space offered has the right infrastructure and irrigation ready to go.
Byron Bay Primary School had already planted two x 50-metre rows of potatoes, and the food grown in the extra space can be used by Liberation Larder, who supply approximately 550 meals weekly, often to needy people.
The S.H.I.F.T. Project Byron, a residential transition program for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, then came on board; through this partnership Liberation Larder and The Farm were able to offer women the opportunity to assist in the maintenance of the vegetable crop. This has allowed the women to gain both commercial and horticultural skills.
Byron Bay Herb Nursery has also donated the seedlings that are being used throughout the crop. They have also offered to help harvest the crops when they’re ready to be pulled.
The result is that four local organisations are working together to create a sustainable working model with the overall goal of giving back to the community.
The Farm plans to double the space dedicated to Liberation Larder next year, but between this December and February hope to harvest 500kg of potatoes, sweet potatoes and pumpkins, 200 bunches of carrots and possibly even some Rosella jam.
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