Grow Gurnard CIC was established in 2024 with the mission of creating a community farm inGurnard, Isle of Wight, enabling local people to participate in the production of their own food whilst improving health, wellbeing, and connection with nature and each other. The year began with a pilot project launched in February 2024, in which three families adopted disused raised beds adjacent to Gurnard Pines, managed in partnership with Gurnard Parish Council on land forming part of the old school garden. The success of this pilot with families regularly tending and harvesting throughout the summer and autumn demonstrated clear community appetite for food growing and directly informed the CIC's subsequent development. In late 2024, Grow Gurnard secured a one-hectare site leased at £1 per annum in perpetuity from Jordan Valley Estates Ltd as part of a Sustainable Alternative Natural Green Space. Phase 1 of development focused on establishing the site: 850 hedgerow trees were donated by the Woodland Trust and planted around the perimeter, alongside a range of native fruit and nut trees funded by a grant from the James Tuttiett Charitable Trust. This permanent planting, completed over winter 2024–25, has enhanced local biodiversity and laid the foundation for the farm's long-term food production capacity. Community impact has been substantial throughout this period. Grow Gurnard delivered 14 educational workshops across all year groups at a local primary school during spring 2025, engaging approximately 420 children in sessions focused on food provenance, food miles, and the benefits of growing locally. A pruning course in January 2025 attracted 13 adult participants, a grafting workshop in March 2025 brought together a further 13, and multiple tree planting days engaged over 70 adults and children in hands-on site work. A community family picnic in August 2024 drew 100 attendees. The screening of the agricultural documentary Six Inches of Soil in July 2025 attracted 49 community members for a facilitated discussion on regenerative food growing. Across all activities up to 31 August 2025, Grow Gurnard generated in excess of 1,000 hours of community engagement, reaching residents of all ages through events, workshops, volunteer sessions, and educational programmes. The CIC has also maintained regular community communication through monthly open meetings, social media, and a seasonal newsletter, ensuring broad and inclusive participation in the project's development.

Grow Gurnard CIC recognises a broad range of stakeholders including Gurnard residents of all ages, Gurnard Parish Council, Jordan Valley Estates Ltd, local primary school pupils and their families, the NHS Youth Forum, the Woodland Trust, charitable trusts, and the wider Isle of Wight community. Community consultation has been embedded in the CIC's approach from the outset. Monthly open meetings were held at a local pub throughout the period providing an ongoing forum to which all Gurnard residents were invited, enabling regular two-way dialogue about the project's development. The CIC maintains active Facebook and Instagram pages and produces a seasonal newsletter, ensuring that those unable to attend meetings in person remain informed and able to contribute feedback. A dedicated WhatsApp working group provides a further channel for engaged community members to raise ideas and concerns. Formal consultation events have also taken place throughout the year. A Spring Challenge event in April 2024 invited residents to contribute design ideas for the site. A community picnic in August 2024, attended by approximately 100 people, was structured specifically around sharing information and gathering community input. In January 2025, Grow Gurnard presented to the NHS Youth Forum at St Mary's, actively seeking ideas and perspectives from young people. Educational workshops delivered across all year groups at a local primary school in spring 2025 incorporated pupil input into the design and identity of the project, with children producing banners and bunting for use by the CIC. Consultation with organisational stakeholders has been maintained through ongoing partnership working. Gurnard Parish Council has been engaged as a key partner since the pilot raised bed project. This has involved formal presentations of the proposed landscape design, as well as overall aims and objectives. In response to the Parish Council we stepped up awareness raising of the project and our planned activities for residents living immediately adjacent to the site, with an aim to increase trust and confidence that any questions or issues could be raised via our community engagement channels. Jordan Valley Estates Ltd has been consulted throughout the site development process, including in relation to the planning amendment currently being progressed. In response to volunteer interest and feedback we established a number of specific volunteer groups focussed on different areas of interest in the project.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration