Community-owned farm marks 20-year milestone

England’s first community-owned farm is marking 20 years since its landmark rescue, with new plans to expand the model and recruit 1,000 additional shareholders in 2026.

Fordhall Organic Farm in Shropshire is celebrating two decades of community ownership after a campaign secured its future in 2006.

Established as a charitable community benefit society, the farm is now owned by more than 8,000 shareholders and is seeking to grow that number further.

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The farm first attracted national attention when siblings Ben and Charlotte Hollins, then in their early 20s, led efforts to prevent the sale of their family’s tenanted farm for industrial development.

Their father, Arthur Hollins, had farmed the land organically since shortly after the Second World War, rejecting artificial fertilisers and establishing principles that continue to underpin the farm’s operations.

Faced with losing the farm, the family turned to the public for support.

Through the sale of £50 non-profit community shares, the Fordhall Community Land Initiative was created to acquire and hold the land on behalf of its members.

On 1 July 2006, the target was reached, with more than £800,000 raised from over 8,000 supporters worldwide.

Mixed enterprise 

Since then, Fordhall has developed into a mixed enterprise employing up to 150 local people, including a working organic livestock farm, educational visits, a care farm, youth projects, public trails, a café, farm shop, events and accommodation.

Despite diversification, it continues to operate as a commercial agricultural business, with a 100-year tenancy granted to Ben.

Charlotte, who manages the Fordhall Community Land Initiative, says: “By placing the farm into community-ownership for perpetuity, we have been able to uniquely plan and think long-term at Fordhall.

“While technically known as shareholders, we like to call our members ‘custodians’.

“This structure has been vital in allowing us to invest within the soil and ecology, safeguarding Dad’s organic legacy now and for the generations that come after us.”

Investment 

Ben says: “As the tenant farmer, I manage all the livestock together with the butchery and farm shop.

“My 100-year tenancy has encouraged me to invest in the farm’s infrastructure and soil.

“I know that every tree planted and every bit of soil nurtured will benefit my life here and of my children should they wish to take on the tenancy after me.

“Community-ownership and long-term security mean that even though I am a tenant, I feel like it is my farm, too.”

Charlotte says: “As we celebrate 20 years in community ownership, we invite everyone to play a part in a better future for our land and food system.

“We have set ourselves a target to bring in 1,000 new shareholders or land custodians from across the country.

Our vision is to build a movement that safeguards more livelihoods on the land.”

For more information, visit the Foodhall Organic Farm website