Local Food Growing
Heeley City Farm has been growing local food using organic practices for the last 15 years on many sites in Sheffield. We currently manage over 20 local food growing sites throughout Sheffield including school and community gardens, church land, fire stations, First Starts, local authority and private land. We directly involve hundreds of local school children, young people and adults in varied food growing projects.
In 2011, we were awarded the Sheffield Telegraph Environment Innovation Award for our local food growing work. This was in recognition of the scale and scope of our projects, producing and distributing increasing amounts of fruit and vegetables each year (approx. 5 tonnes in 2011), and the potential to go on increasing production and engagement of different communities.
Produce from our growing sites is used in a number of ways; sold to local wholefood shops, at local Farmers’ Markets and other events to raise money; supplying the café at the farm site with high quality fresh produce; shared out amongst volunteers involved in the projects.
Our main food growing sites are...
Firth Park Community Allotment
Heeley City Farm Kitchen Garden
Meersbrook Park Walled Garden
and Norfolk Park Community Garden
although we have many other sites/community gardens that we manage too!
Our Main Activities in Food Growing:
- Education, training and volunteering
- Demonstrating organic methods.
- Restoring land to cultivation
- Growing and marketing crops
- Consultancy and support
- Open days and events
Volunteering in Food Growing
The support of volunteers is invaluable to managing the many and varied food growing sites around Sheffield, and because we look after different gardens there should be something to suit everyone!
Volunteers learn about growing food organically and successfully, in a fun, friendly and informal setting. The amount of hours volunteers contribute is very flexible; a few hours once a month or two days a week- it’s all appreciated!
We can provide boots and gloves, and travel expenses as required.
As well as gardening work, volunteers can also get involved in special events and open days throughout the growing season. Days like Apple Day, Heeley Festival, South Yorkshire Festival and Autumn Produce Show are fun and rewarding to be a part of and play an important role in raising awareness of the work that we do.
Dementia Help and Events
Our Dementia department is launching some new events...
A Helpful Space
A Helpful Space is on 26th September, 3rd and 31st October, 14th and 28th November and 19th December from 9.30am till 11am. This is a space where you can drop in and find out information and find out about advice, support and guidance around Dementia - if we don't know an answer to your enquiries then we will try and find out and contact you with what we find.
Dementia Friendly Farm Afternoons
Once a month, on a Wednesday from 1.30pm till 3pm we are offering the Farm experience to people with Dementia and their carers. Experiences can include work in the garden, work with the animals, crafts, woodwork etc.
The dates are 9th October, 13th November, 11th December, 8th January, 12 February, 11th March
Your Farm Time
Your Farm Time are sessions for carers and ex-carers to come and particpate in various practical tasks around the Farm. One Tuesday every month from 1.30pm till 3.30pm. The dates are 22nd October, 19th November and 17th December.
For all of these events please make sure you contact Lee for more information and to register you interest on [email protected] or call 0114 258 0482
Heeley City Farm
Help Heeley City Farm by donating via our JustGiving page. Even the smallest amount can help the work we do to continue! For more info on how people can help the Farm go to our Donate Page
Working for the community with the community
Heeley City Farm is a company limited by guarantee without share capital.
Reg. No. 2141420. VAT Reg. No. 646 3843 17. Reg. Charity No. 1111482.
Member of the Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens.
Honorary Patrons: Professor Danny Dorling, Louise Haigh MP
Heeley City Farm, Richards Road, Sheffield, S2 3DT. Phone: 0114 258 0482 Email: [email protected]
Heeley City Farm 1981 - 2019
