Community Farm

 As part of the organic Carnane Estate on Douglas Head, The Children’s Centre is developing a Community Farm. The Farm has approximately ten acres of land comprising a five acre conservation area, two polytunnels, a vegetable patch, a kitchen garden and a ‘projects’ field. The land is managed in accordance with Soil Association Organic Standards and, as the project develops, more animals are being introduced including pigs, hens, rabbits, goats, bees and donkeys.

The Community Farm provides a therapeutic and nurturing countryside environment, where people can grow their social skills and self confidence, as well as the opportunity to learn and develop new practical skills. Alternative education is provided for those young people who are struggling with mainstream education, and they are given the opportunity to turn their new found knowledge of horticulture and agriculture into qualifications such as AQAs, ASDANs and Open College Network awards.

The Farm is open to the Island’s community and offers an increasing range of services to meet the community’s needs. For example, the Farm is working with primary and secondary schools to deliver an educational programme that enriches the academic curriculum; and it is liaising with community groups and other charities to provide a unique venue for broad range of service users.

The Children’s Centre’s aim is to ensure that the Farm is used by as many of the Island’s children, young people and families as possible, providing them with a natural environment where they can enhance their well being, learn about the countryside and farming, develop new skills and (where appropriate) gain relevant qualifications.

For further information please email or call 610540.