Feeds:

Sep 19, 2016

DARTMOOR COMMUNITY FARM GOES GREEN AND CLEAN

Affordable organic and high welfare produce now powered by renewable energy

This autumn, the off-grid, Chagford-based Chagfarm will be powered by solar energy thanks to partial funding from the Big Lottery's "Awards for All" Fund.

With sixteen 280w REC solar panels and a 10kw Aquion salt water battery bank, the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) enterprise's raw milk dairy products, free-range chicken, as well as woodland-reared pork and goat meat, will be fuelled by renewable electricity only.

Previously reliant on petrol and diesel generated power to milk its 14 nanny goats, the new installation will provide 100 per cent of the farm’s electricity and perfectly complements its already established sustainable and low-impact farming methods.

Davon Friend, Co-Founder and Director of Chagfarm, said: "We're excited to be able to replace our noisy generator with a clean and silent form of energy. Not only will it reduce our carbon footprint and that of our members, but it will also help facilitate our growth in the short and long term. The timing couldn't have been more ideal, as this year we’re installing further facilities on the farm, including a butchery, poultry processing unit and cheese cave.”

"All these facilities will have their own unique power demands and we are so grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for recognising the crucial role renewable energy will play in our mission to make Chagford’s, and indeed, its neighbouring parishes’ food supply more resilient, continued Friend.”

The solar panels will generate a maximum of 4kw of power during sunlight hours and an additional 4kw will available from the fully charged battery bank day or night - enough to fuel the farm’s future artisan cheese-making operation.

With this new infrastructure in place, 2016 is set to be a landmark year for the not-for-profit enterprise as it strides towards self-sufficiency, welcomes more members and champions rural living.

To become a Chagfarm member and revolutionise the way you shop for food in your area, please visit www.chagfarm.org, call on 0777 9652 333 or email on membership(at)chagfarm.org.

-ENDS-

About Chagford Community Farm CIC

Chagford Community Farm CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company nestled on the northeast edge of Dartmoor in Devon. Chagfarm is one of the UK’s first community-supported micro-dairies and started operating in April 2013. It primarily produces organic goats milk and dairy products but also woodland reared pork, free-range poultry and honey.

Founded by brothers Sylvan and Davon Friend, Chagfarm aims to make the local community’s food supply more resilient. With a passion for local food, the brothers are on a mission to establish a thriving local food economy and change the way we think about food miles and animal welfare.

Find out more about the local food renaissance by visiting www.chagfarm.org, Chagfarm CIC/Facebook or @Chagfarm/Twitter.

For further press information or images, please contact:

Chagford Community Farm CIC

Web: www.chagfarm.org

Em: membership(at)chagfarm.org

Tel: 0777 9652 333

Notes to Editors

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. They are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

• Since June 2004 the Big Lottery Fund has awarded over £8 billion to projects that change the lives of millions of people. Every year they fund 13,000 small local projects tackling big social problems like poor mental health and homelessness.

• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 450,000 grants awarded.