You heard it here first! We have finally become a Community Interest Company, officially.
What this means is, we’re a company that doesn’t allow directors or employees to take dividends and siphon profits away for personal gain. Any and all profits are put back into the business, specifically to support the aims of the business – to feed local families, support people experiencing food poverty, and help to create a more resilient and sovereign local food system that can weather future storms.
I would like to mention here, that along with myself, we have 2 amazing directors that will help the business to grow in the right direction. Thanks Tamsyn and Rob! Exciting times ahead.
Personally, I’m pretty chuffed about this milestone. About 6-7 years ago, I became a fellow of the Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs, which trains people up in creating social enterprises, and I have been working towards this ever since. I’d like to thank Cornwall SSE for their support and help, which is first rate and really a beautiful thing to be a part of.
To get growing at a scale that can support 1 or 2 full time jobs, there are still tools to buy, tracks to lay, irrigation to finish, polytunnels and all manner of expensive things that need a little more investment, so now that we can apply for some of the various grant funding awards that are available to social enterprises, CICs and charities, I’m hoping to make the Grassroots Garden a self-funding and sustainable business within the first couple of years.
In other news, we have been enjoying 3 colours of carrot, Kohl Rabi, beets and turnip, roasted to perfection.
Also, a bait-hive was found on the floor, upside-down after the storms! I didn’t actually realise there were any bees inside until I moved away part of the disintegrated stand, and saw it pretty full and buzzing! I swiftly suited-up, fixed what damage I could, added another layer (called a super), and put it on a more stable base that should withstand the rest of the winter. Fingers crossed – I hope they last through the winter. I love those furry friends.
