**** FORK AND DIG IT'S NEW WEBSITE ****

Fork And Dig It grows organic fruit and vegetables on 2 acres of Soil Association accredited land in the tranquil outskirts of the Great Wood that borders the South Downs National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is a member group of Stanmer Organics, a co-operative which oversees 17 acres of land within the splendid surroundings of much loved local nature reserve, Stanmer Park.

Run by volunteers, the aim is to grow food in as bio diverse way as possible, teaching (and learning from) other people and groups as we go. We aim to promote and enjoy long, happy, healthy lives by cultivating delicious, nutritious, affordable local produce in a way that is sustainable in the long-term.

Fork And Dig It supplies produce to the local community through independent retailers like Infinity Foods and through our Veg Share, Brighton's first Community Supported Agriculture scheme. If you'd like to know where your food is coming from have a look at our Veg Share page to see how our CSA works and join up now for 2013.

Fork and Dig It's Head Grower has trained with Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme. Our members and volunteers attend ongoing training to equip them with the skills and credentials to teach & safely supervise site users including:

The Royal Horticultural Society's CPD Course Gardening with early years children
Food Agriculture Emergency First Aid
Food Agriculture Health & Safety
Safeguarding Children & Young People
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
                                           
Associated links...
Fork and Dig it continues to grow in no small part thanks to other organisations and community support groups who share a common interest so a big THANK YOU to them for their generosity, guidance and funding since the initial start up in November 2007.

 ** WELCOME TO FORK AND DIG IT'S NEW WEBPAGE **
* also see our facebook page and follow us on twitter *

There's always something sprouting so see below for details of what we've been doing and what's coming up. Have a browse through the newsletters, take a look at the Fork And Dig It Diary to see dates & times for events and activities in the months ahead and visit our 'Contact' page if you'd like to get involved.

Volunteer placement roles are being offered in the Veg Share CSA. If you're interested in learning about organic, not-for-profit food distribution and can commit 4hrs+ a week, download the job description or contact Emily (see 'Contact' page for details)

Spring Newsletter, May 2013: "Spring finally arrived and we are now busy planting and preparing all the beds for the summer ahead ... " view the full Spring Newsletter

"Brighton growing project Fork and Dig It offer a share issue with a difference: a share in the Fork And Dig It 2013 harvest. The 2013 Veg Share starts in May so sign up now to bag a share ..." open the full Veg Share 2013 press release (pdf)


A quick diary guide ...
VW:   VOLUNTEER WORKDAY
TD:     TRAINING DAY
GREEN TICK:
 this event IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
RED EXCLAMATION MARK:
 this event is NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• Winter Newsletter 2012 (pdf, 574 KB)
• Autumn Newsletter 2012 (pdf)
• Brighton Argus website article on the CSA launch in 2011
  

Fork and Dig It welcomes people of all ages and abilities to get out of town and spend some time on site in a peaceful location within easy traveling distance from the heart of Brighton.

Volunteering can involve sowing, planting, digging, netting, harvesting, composting and much more besides. All work is supervised. Bring enthusiasm, sensible clothes and some lunch and enjoy learning to grow at your own pace. See below and have a look at our contact page to find out more.

• On-site: Volunteer days are Tuesdays and Fridays 10am - 2.30pm, and the first Sunday of each month 11am-3pm. If you'd like to get stuck get in touch to let us know when you're coming
• Off-site: We have a huge range of jobs which don't involve dirt ... including marketing, social media, fundraising, gathering statistical feedback, accounting ... get in touch if you fancy lending an off-site hand.
• Skilled: We're also really happy to hear from people with skills in areas such as carpentry, irrigation, tree-surgery and any other skills related to small-scale food agriculture. Do give us a call.
  

Fork and Dig It is a big site run almost entirely by volunteers - some weekly, others monthly, and some once or twice a year - whether you have one day to spare or many, if you are interested in the project and can offer time or expertise we'd love to hear from you.

As well as all the intrinsic benefits (including a share of the harvested produce to take home whenever available), regular volunteers are offered relevant external training opportunities to expand and improve their own (and the group's) knowledge & skill-sets.

Want to know where your food is coming from?

Join the Fork And Dig It 2013 Veg Share - just 35 shares of the Fork And Dig It harvest are available on a 'first come first served' basis. Register for your share via our online signup form.

• A weekly supply of top quality ultra fresh ultra local vegetables - which you have helped to grow
• Soil association organic registered land at Stanmer Organics, in Stanmer Park on the edge of Brighton
• Seasonal: members will receive their share of the harvest from June 2013 to March 2014 (with a winter break in December/January)
• Shares cost from £10 per week - past Veg Sharers have found this very good value*
• Convenient local pick-up points in Brighton or Stanmer – or delivery to your door for an additional charge
• Healthy Start vouchers accepted as part payment; discount for low income

And on top of this enjoy:

• Fork And Dig It's beautiful site, including special events and open days as well as being part of our regular weekly and weekend volunteer workdays
• Recipes, plus cooking and storage tips
• Supporting the development of a non-profit group to increase production; feed more local people and employ more part-time workers
• Being an integral part of Brighton’s first Community Supported Agriculture scheme - supporting local food… local people… local jobs
  

*in our 2012 survey of veg sharers, 95% of respondents were satisfied with both quality of produce and value for money; and 100% were ‘very satisfied’ with customer service and communication

Can you tell me what veg I will get each week?
No, just that it will be 1/50 share* of the harvest.

Not only the contents but the amounts will vary with the season. Members share the risk of some crops failing, and when gluts happen you will enjoy the plenty.

We will aim to include at least 7 separate items weekly so in your share you might receive

• A fabulous salad bag - herby, spicy, rocket based or perhaps sprinkled with edible flowers; in winter a spicier mix of seasonal leaves from the polytunnels
• A weekly herb bag, and a regular supply of our highly praised garlic
• A plentiful supply of leafy greens such as kale, spinach, chard or perhaps a stir fry mix
• (In summer) tomatoes and cucumbers from the polytunnel; broad or French beans; courgettes; runner beans; peas; fennel bulbs ...
• (In winter) leeks, parsnips, beetroot, savoy cabbage; sprouting broccoli; turnips; squash ...
• And you can expect to find some unusual veg - this year we will try out Romanesco broccoli and scorzonera (a delicious Italian root veg)
  

To make best use of our two acres, we will source ‘stored’ onions and carrots from other (local) organic farms to free up space for crops which are best picked and eaten super fresh.

We suggest you sign up for one share per 1-2 adults in a household.

*There will be 50 shares altogether: 35 paid shares and 15 shared out between volunteers who help to grow the food. Additionally, around 10% of productive land will be used for salad and other ‘cash crops’ outside of the Veg Share, to generate income for the project.

Register for your share via our online signup form.

Or for more info get in touch with Emily (contact details on our contact page).

Growing, buying, cooking and eating organic, sustainably grown produce can be simple, enjoyable, more tasty, better for you and for the environment.

Whether you're growing your own food, grocery shopping or looking for inspiration for your supper Fork And Dig It can offer tips on economical, earthy cooking affordable and accessible to all.

• Five Reasons to Choose Organic (pdf)
• Organic Food for Children (pdf)
• Creamy Winter Vegetable Soup (pdf, 3 MB)
  
• Potato & Parsnip Gratin (pdf, 3 MB)
• Stir-fried Winter Greens (pdf, 3.5 MB)
• The Principles of Organic Production According to The Soil Association (pdf)
• Organic Food Farming FAQs (pdf)
• Debunking the Myth - How to be Organic on a Budget (pdf)
• Why Buy Local Food (pdf)

Our educational initiatives are specifically designed for school children and our aim is to fully support all key stages of the curriculum, in line with the government manifesto encouraging children to Learn Outside the Classroom.

• Pick, Cook and Learn for Kids - Growing workshops at your nursery

We visit local nurseries to run workshops, specially adapted for kids aged 3+, designed to introduce children to the fun of growing their own, to teach them a little about where the food they eat comes from and assist their teachers in developing a veg patch (in pots or beds). Get in touch if you'd like to develop a little patch (or a few boxes) at your nursery.

• School outings - Hire the site for your class day out

Fork And DIg It runs specially adapted Pick, Cook and Learn Workshops for children incorporating an entirely educational tailored day out. It's a great way to enjoy the outdoors while learning a bit about growing, picking and preparing food. Get in touch for more info on hire rates for schools and groups.

• Stanmer Organics - Promoting health, wellbeing, education and more sustainable lifestyles
  

Fork & Dig It is a member group of the Stanmer Organics there are opportunities to link in with neighbouring project groups and develop other skills in collaboration workshops such as, yurt making, stone & wood carving and permaculture to name a few.

Fork and Dig It members have been trained on the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation (CEVAS) Scheme. The CEVAS qualification ensures workshop leaders are fully equipped with the skills to provide a high quality visit and farm experience for school visits.

Click here for transport links, maps and directions

- Maximum group size for any school workshop is 30
- The site is not currently wheelchair accessible
- Facilities are available on site to wash hands
- All basic tools and gloves are provided
- There is an army mess tent with a fully equipped field kitchen
- The neighbouring Brighton Earthship, built by the Low Carbon Trust, is an award winning eco community centre / classroom with external composting toilets and an internal disabled toilet
- Workshop leaders are CRB checked
- The site is covered for the necessary Public liability Insurance
- Health and Safety, Risk Assessment, Permission and Guidelines policies will be sent in advance to teachers, schools or groups
- Fork And Dig It's policies are reviewed regularly by the management committee and are all available to view (on request) and will soon be available for download.

Fork And Dig It run workshops for groups and companies who want to get outdoors and learn about their local food and environment or want to understand the basic concepts of organic horticulture.

See below and have a look at our 'Contact' page for bookings and enquiries.

• Pick, Cook and Learn - A total experience from plot to plate

Learn a bit about organic growing, pick some produce, then prepare it and pass to the chef who'll transform it into a delicious lunch. Our green cuisine is plentiful and varied, from spuds to salads, root veg to red hot chillies, redcurrants to raspberries and greens galore.
(also look at our 'Schools' page for Pick, Cook and Learn for Kids)

• Group Awaydays - Hire the site for your group's day out

Our Awayday workshops for groups provide a relaxed, healthy day away from the office where activities on site are organised and supervised by our team. It's a relaxed, healthy day away from the office with the added bonus of contributing to the community and learning a bit about local growing.

• Hapa Zome - Japanese leaf-beating

Using mallets, children and adults have great fun pounding out the pigments of leaves and flowers gathered on and around the site creating pictures to take home and learning to identify the flora by its appearance, smell and (when edible) taste.
Run throughout the year at various events (see the calendar on our 'News' page) or by arrangement.

• Composting - How to turn waste into nutrition

Learn how to safely make your own rich compost to help you grow your own veg without the costly bought-in variety.
Run throughout the year at various events (see the calendar on our 'News' page) or by arrangement.

From time to time special discounts apply for those on low incomes - contact us for more details.

Have a look at our 'Contact' page for transport links, maps and directions.

Workshop leaders are CRB checked.
The site is covered for the necessary Public liability Insurance.
The site is not currently wheelchair accessible.

• For general information contact Sara:
  enquiries@forkanddigit.co.uk
  07790 669 730
  
• For Volunteering contact Martin:
  07934 088 913
  
• For Workshops & Awaydays contact Jools:
  07881 704 593
• For Veg Share contact Emily: sales@forkanddigit.co.uk
  07969 805795

If you're on facebook see facebook.com/forkanddigit
And if you're on twitter see twitter.com/ForkAndDigIt

Getting to Fork And Dig It from Stanmer Park entrance:
Follow the drive through the park to Stanmer village.
Continue past Stanmer House and turn left toward the City Parks nursery.
With the Glasshouse & City Parks nursery on the left and Plumpton College on the right, continue straight ahead, through the gates, keeping just to the right of old stable buildings and City Parks Nursery wall.
Follow the track round as it bends to the right, up the hill and past ‘Community Farm’.
There is a gate on the left marked Stanmer Organics - go through the gate and Fork And Dig It is 500 meters along on the left, opposite Brighton Earthship.

Directions to Stanmer Park:
Stanmer Park is located near Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton, next to the University of Sussex. The postcode is BN1 9PZ. It is easily accessible by bus with stops by the park entrance.

By Bike (from Brighton):
Click here for a PDF cycling map of Brighton and Hove (large file: 1.16MB).
A cycle path runs between Brighton and Lewes along the A27 past the entrance to Stanmer Park.
From central Brighton, follow the Lewes Road (and signs for the university) out of town towards Lewes.
The gates for Stanmer Park are on the left just after you turn off the Lewes Road, before you get to the university.
Approx. 30mins from Brighton station.
(For info on cycle hire from Brighton station visit Amsterdammers website.)

By Bus:
The 25 runs regularly from Hove, through Brighton (Churchill Square and Old Steine) to the Stanmer Park entrance.
The 23 runs Mondays to Saturday from the Marina via Queens Park to Stanmer Park entrance.
The 78 runs from Brighton direct to Stanmer Church on Saturdays and Sundays. (For more info on Brighton & Hove buses visit the website.)
The Big Lemon buses 42 and 43 also stop at the park entrance. (For more info on Big Lemon buses visit the website.)

By Train: Falmer Station is the nearest station.
Trains from Brighton and Lewes run about every half hour.
From the station take the underpass and turn immediately left and continue alongside the main road for about 400 metres to Stanmer Park entrance.
(For train timetables and info visit National Rail Enquiries website.)

By Car:
(For a map showing approach roads view Brighton Permaculture Trusts's pdf)

(From Brighton)
Take the Lewes Road heading out of town.
Just before you reach the A27 Brighton bypass take the small turning into Stanmer Park

(From Lewes and areas East of Brighton)
On the A27 Brighton bypass take the turn for the A270 Lewes Road into Brighton
Immediately get in the middle lane signposted to Stanmer Park
Turn right into Stanmer Park at the traffic lights immediately at end of slip road

(From areas North and West of Brighton)
**NB: Stanmer Park cannot be accessed from the A27 east bound via the junction next to Stanmer Park**
From the A23 turn East on the A27 towards Lewes OR from the West continue past the A23 turnoff into Brighton towards Lewes
Take the first exit after the A23, signposted to Hollingbury
Go straight across the roundabout at the top of the slip road
Follow this road for about a mile and at the end of this road turn left at the traffic lights onto the Lewes Road out of Brighton
Take the first left, a small turning into Stanmer Park

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