The team at Action Hampshire rolled up their sleeves last week for an intensive day of gardening at a local, organic fruit and veg farm – Hampshire Market Garden.
The schedule of activities which involved digging, planting and weeding as well as learning more about the importance of sustainable farming, forms part of a programme of Away Days designed to help the community, develop team building skills and create positive experiences to encourage good mental health.
By volunteering, the team was able to play a small role in helping Hampshire Market Garden get local fruit and veg production back in the hands of local people.
How many lettuces in a day?
During the day, the team worked hard but with smiles on their faces. They created six veg-growing beds, uprooted 1500 lettuces and planted 320 seedlings! Debbie Lockett, from Hampshire Market Garden said;
‘Thank you so much to Action Hampshire for getting stuck in to a full day of clearing growing spaces, wheel-barrowing, and planting out on the market garden. It was great to see everybody smiling as they worked and interacting with the farm tour, you really did make a difference to what can be achieved with more willing hands to help our small team. We hope you also enjoyed the fresh farm lunch, we loved having you’.
A rewarding experience
The atmosphere throughout the day was spirited. The opportunity to be outdoors, get closer to nature and be part of a community project were the motivating factors the team shared over their delicious lunch prepared by Mark, gardener and resident chef.
Alison Bridge, Community Projects Officer said;
‘It was a rewarding experience, volunteering for this amazing organisation. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my colleagues and being out in the open air – and the delicious lunch was a bonus’.
Hampshire Market Garden CIC (previously Oooby) started in 2020, with the ambition of helping people get more access to healthy food. Their team has over 60 years combined experience in growing veg, selling local food, and working in sustainable local food industries. Noticing the impact of big supermarkets on local villages and towns across Hampshire the team are now more than ever, passionate about growing produce within the community in a sustainable way.
An opportunity for you to join us!
Action Hampshire supports charities and organisations within the VCSE sector across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by offering advice and guidance as well as delivering a range of projects to help communities. Hampshire Market Garden is one of our member organisations. If you’d like to know more about becoming a member please visit our Member Benefits page.
Follow this link to learn more about membership
Follow this link to learn more about Hampshire Market Garden
Follow this link to sign up for their veg box scheme
