Tim Keenan runs a sustainable, organic, community food farm behind the Windermere hotel.
The farm is a non-profit, volunteer-based project, which supplies fresh organic vegetables to the food bank. Polytunnel Lean To
Focus is on developing the site to improve accessibility, increase biodiversity by adding a pond and wildflowers, and include an outdoor kitchen, work is also underway for a memorial garden.
Unfortunately, the farm’s polytunnels were destroyed in the last storm, they have started a crowdfunding campaign and are appealing for donations to help reach their target of £1735.
The polytunnel is an essential part of the project because it extends the growing season by protecting young plants from late frosts and keeping them warm until late spring arrives.
It also houses hot house plants like tomatoes, and makes plants incredibly more productive in the heat of the tunnel allowing the farm to bring on plants for the next year.
All wood, woodchip, polytunnels, manure, tools, compost and seeds, that make up the farm have been donated or recycled from the local area.
The infrastructure, digging, planting, weeding and sowing have been done on volunteer hours, by over one hundred local volunteers who have worked on the farm over the year.
The farm makes their own compost from waste donations from local people and businesses.
All the produce was grown from seeds bought for the farm by locals and local businesses: including potatoes, carrots, sweetcorn, beetroot, leeks, French beans, garlic, brussel sprouts, horseradish, cabbages, broccoli, rhubarb, tomatoes, cucumber, courgettes, lettuce, herbs, soft fruits and apples.
Project Manager, Tim Keenan said: “The farm is situated in the grounds of The Windermere hotel, who have been instrumental and a huge help. Especially Miguel Beneitz, the general manager. We collectively won an award within the hotel group for best environmental initiative.”
“This year we aim to produce far more. We have already had seeds bought for us by the Lamplighter, the Albert and San Pietro restaurant, to name a few.
“We have a crowd funding page where people can donate, as well as a Facebook group called "friends of Windermere food farm".
“If people would like to get involved, we welcome all and are working to make sure the site is accessible to all.”
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