July 2026 update

It has now been two years since we started work on our farm in Girton, now known as Hope Haven.

Our team have been challenged with a dry spring and we’re continuing to find long term solutions for water. However, we are excited to be approaching our second harvest. This year we have been growing: lettuce, onions, beans, courgettes garlic, potatoes, beetroot, radish, tomatoes, chili peppers and pumpkins. Around 20 varieties of fruit trees in the orchard, raspberries, blueberries.

We had an enjoyable event on the farm to celebrate Refugee Week with food, music and cultural activities to celebrate our diverse community. We’re looking forward to hosting more events like this over the summer.

Lots of exciting projects are happening at Hope Haven which we can’t wait to share with you soon! 🐔🐐

Background:

With the support of the Cambridgeshire County Council Communities Service and Rural Assets Property team, we have secured an area of land to develop into a community farm. The land has been sitting unused for many years and was previously farmland. To begin the project, we have started clearing a small section – erecting a shed, fencing the area, and building raised beds to begin with. There is 4.5 acres of land to work with.

Our long-term term plan is to grow fruit and vegetables, whilst providing a therapeutic farming experience and horticulture education for primary school children. Produce grown will go back into our current services such as the food project in Cambourne, and the mobile food hub visiting villages across South Cambs.

Anyone that is interested in volunteering, or has experience and able to offer advice and guidance, please email hopecic.uk@gmail.com

As the project expands, we will be looking for volunteers to support the running of the community farm which will be a great way to keep physically and mentally active.