GORGIE CITY FARM ASSOCIATION

Business Description

The farm was founded in 1982 by a group of local residents keen to see green space preserved. We have always operated as a working farm - with a small head of livestock of various types - pony, pigs,sheep, goats' a cow, ducks and chickens etc and a main remit of educating the edinburgh commmunity about where there food comes from.
The site itself is about 1 hectare and we have about 100 head of animals of which half are poultry and one third are pet animals.
We increasingly work with disadvantaged individuals- offering volunteering opportunities which provide training, social contact and in some cases elementary qualifications. there are youth projects in the Gardens and Pet Lodge with places also open to young people to work with the large animals. We also work with adults of all ages and backgrounds farmwide. Manyof our opportunites are supported or in a group setting.

Business Services
We offer children's birthday parties and weekend and holiday workshops working with the animals. Many events over the course of the year include opportunities to have pony rides and handle animals. There are also rooms for hire which may be used for classes, meetings or self-led parties.
We can offer membership of our ;Friends' scheme or animal sponsorship as gift ideas or as a means of supporting our charitable activities..
We have an onsite cafe which uses the farm produce supplemented by external suppliers; we also sell our produce, mainly eggs and seasonal vegetables, but including pork and lamb on occasion, through a volunteer run produce stall. Animal bedding and manure is available too!
There is a Gardening Services social enterprise which works in the Edinburgh area and provides training opportunities to assist the unemployed in gaining experience. We also run a small animal boarding service for rabbits,guinea pigs and rodents.

Business Products
Farm Produce eg Eggs, Vegetables
Manure
Small amounts of meat from pigs and sheep.

Business Qualifications
Child Friendly Edinburgh Award 1995

Business Staff & Management
We are run by an elected board of directors, all volunteers, who have backgrounds in farming, business, social care, or are longstanding members of the community and represent the local area.
There are about 15 members of staff including those trained or qualified by experience in farming, social work, youth work,education and catering.

Business Clients
Garden clients through Care and Repair.
Local workers in the cafe.
Schools and community groups in Edinburgh and the wider Lothians area [and beyond]