Why should I join?
- To support the production of organic, local, seasonal veg!
- To join a community
- To support the development of the wildlife and natural environment
- To learn new skills
How do I get veg?
You can sign up for the Friends and Neighbours scheme and buy either a seasonal bag of veg per week or order online what veg you want each week. See Friends and Neighbours scheme.
Or
You can become a workshare member by committing at least 4 hours a week (see below)
How do I get involved?
There are monthly meetings for members to contribute their ideas and help Gibside Community Farm to develop. You can join a group of members who are involved in one aspect of the farm eg communications/publicity, Friends and Neighbours Scheme, growing.
How do I know what is going on?
You will get a weekly newsletter which has lots of information about what is happening on the field, what training or social events that are happening and when the meetings are. There is also a WhatsApp group for members to join.
How do I get to meet other members?
There are social events during the year, BBQ, quizzes and some training events and there are the members meetings.
Can I come and work on the field without committing to 4 hours a week?
Yes, you will be welcome to come to the field to help join in whenever you want. Make sure you let us know in advance, when you want to come to the field. Email us.
How much is membership if I join part way through the year?
The membership fee is £52 per year. Our membership year runs from April to March. If you join during the year, you are asked to pay the full membership fee until 31st October and after 1st November the membership fee is a pro rata rate of £4.50 per month. So if you join in November there are 6 months until March, therefore you will pay 6 x £4.50 = £27. If you join in January you would pay 3 x £4.50 = £13.50.
Find out how to become a member
FAQs for workshare members
What is a workshare member?
A workshare member is a member who has committed to help Gibside Community Farm for at least 4 hours a week.
What kind of help can a workshare do?
A workshare member can help with the growing on the field or with the organisational tasks behind the scenes e.g. fundraising, bookkeeping, supporting new members or supporting the Friends and Neighbours scheme, helping the farm to grow and develop.
I am interested in being a workshare on the field, but don’t know much about growing, is this ok?
Absolutely! Anyone is welcome to come along and learn from the other members. We will provide support and advice on what to do. We are all learning as we go along.
I am interested in being a workshare on organizational tasks, do I need to know much about this?
We can provide support for most tasks, but are also looking for people who have skills already as well!
When can I do the hours as a workshare?
We work on the field on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year, usually from about 10.30 to 3pm (or longer depending on the season and how much there is to do). We also have monthly sessions on Saturdays. When you sign up to be a workshare we can discuss with you the best time for you to come. There is a weekly online rota to sign up to so that we can record who is on the field and for how long. The organisational tasks can be done to fit in around your own routines.
What is it like working on the field?
Workshare members enjoy being part of a team and a sense of having done something tangible! Depending on the season, there is preparing the ground, planting, weeding, harvesting and protecting the crops. There is a great view of the cheviots, the kites and the kestrel come to visit regularly and the skylarks keep singing. You feel as though you have had a bit of a workout without having to go to the gym. It is usually possible to adapt the tasks to suit your particular needs and abilities.
Do I get some veg if I do some work?
If you have committed to doing at least 4 hours of work a week then there is usually some veg available for you to have. If your work is not on the field then you will need to arrange to collect it.