SCATS COUNTRYSTORES IN SALISBURY SUPPORTS COMMUNITY FARM PROJECT AS FOUNDER SPONSOR

The SCATS Countrystore in Salisbury has committed to be a founder sponsor and supporter of Riverbourne Community Farm, a sustainable farm project due to officially open to the public in spring this year.

The brainchild of Ben Parker, the community farm aims to recreate sustainable farming methods from the 50s and 60s including traditional bee keeping and raising crops of long straw wheat for thatching.

The farm is based on land adjacent to Cow Lane in the village of Laverstock, Salisbury. Initially on 58 acres of land adjoining the River Bourne, the farm is staffed by full-time staff and volunteers. Education is at the centre of the farm project with 8 schools in walking distance and 26 in the wider catchment area. A large part of the project will be focused on educational projects that connect children back to food, farming and the environment.

The SCATS sponsorship has so far helped supply much needed machinery, gates and fencing with recent farm achievements including the restoration of the farm office and barn as well as improvement of walkways around the site.

SCATS Countrystores Manager Rob Craig-Lowdon said, "It's great to be able to support such a fantastic local project that will really benefit the surrounding community. The team at Riverbourne are full of enthusiasm and passion so I?m confident that once open, this farm will become a hub of educational and recreational interest. We're proud to be involved and associated with the farm and will actively support in any way we can."

The farm will be home to cattle, sheep, pigs and hens, complimented by sustainable crop planting. Maintenance of hedgerows is a particular priority in order to protect the habitat of the local village.

A local steering group, chaired by Mike Perry, Head of Education for Wiltshire has been actively involved in the planning and development of the farm.

Ben Parker, Chairman of Riverbourne Community Farm said, "The whole concept of the farm is to give local people and schools access to the day-to-day work of a farm using sustainable and ecologically sound methods. The support of SCATS Countrystores is absolutely fantastic and invaluable to the delivery of this project."

The community farm is due to officially open to the public in March 2010.