Soul Farm Embarks on a Journey of Community Ownership

In a move that marks a significant shift from private ownership, Soul Farm has recently announced its evolution into a community benefit society. This change comes after five years of dedicated efforts in nurturing land and supporting local communities, during which the founders realised the limitations of going it alone. Soul Farm initially started with less financial backing than necessary—a fact unknown at the outset—has reached a pivotal point in its journey, emphasising the importance of collective action over individual endeavours.

The farm’s transition to a community benefit society was driven by the understanding that caring for land and local people requires the collaboration of many. To facilitate this change, a comprehensive business plan has been developed, ensuring the farm can be community-owned and sustainably invested in. This strategic pivot aims to engage the community directly in the stewardship and future of the farm.

The community benefit society has already seen significant support from the public, with 90 investors contributing to a milestone of £116,650. This achievement is a testament to the widespread belief in Soul Farm’s mission and potential despite the campaign still having 63% of its funding goal to meet. Behind the scenes, two investors have made substantial commitments, bringing the current funding level to approximately 40-50%. The farm’s leadership remains optimistic, with plans to move to a second round of funding on Ethex, a platform known for its database of ethical investors.

Soul Farm’s strategy also includes engaging with funding opportunities such as the CIOS (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly) Growth Fund and starting an application for the Farming in Protected Landscape grant. These efforts underscore the farm’s commitment to securing a sustainable future, not just for the land it occupies but for the community it serves.

As Soul Farm continues on its path towards community ownership and ethical investment, the support from investors, locals, and online followers remains crucial. The farm’s journey is a compelling example of how collective effort and shared vision can pave the way for sustainable and inclusive growth in rural communities.

You can find Soul Farms Crowdfunder page here – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/soul-farm-shares
Check out their link tree – https://linktr.ee/soulfarm