The Common Cause Co-operative
Click the photo to find out more.
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Ashurst Organics veg box scheme started in 1994 as a Community Supported venture organised by Common Cause Co-operative - a social enterprise based in Lewes, East Sussex.
Peter and Collette Haynes took on Ashurst Farm from the White brothers (Alec & Horace) in February 1994. They were able to obtain instant organic status from the Soil Association as the brothers had never used chemicals or "any such nonsense" since 1945 (they had also been hand milking cows right up until 1993). This meant a healthy, vital and fertile soil but also a weed-seed bank from the time of the Ark. The box scheme grew successfully almost entirely by word of mouth and has since thrived because of the support of its scheme members who feel as much a part of the land as those who have helped farm it. |
The veg fields at Ashurst
The farm is located in sight of the South Downs, four miles west of Lewes in Plumpton, East Sussex. Alec White lived long after selling the farm and was fit and active enough to help hoe and weed the vegetables well into his 80's. He lived to be 91 -a true testament to an organic, hard working life.
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We currently grow more than 40 varieties of vegetable on fifteen acres to supply the boxes to nearby towns and villages. We also sell twice a month at the Lewes Farmers Market and to local shops, cafes and caterers.
We supplement the boxes with veg from other local growers who have glasshouses to extend the season and increase variety. At certain times of the year when local seasonal veg is limited we buy in from further afield. UK first, then France and Spain during the Hungry Gap. None of our veg is air freighted.
We supplement the boxes with veg from other local growers who have glasshouses to extend the season and increase variety. At certain times of the year when local seasonal veg is limited we buy in from further afield. UK first, then France and Spain during the Hungry Gap. None of our veg is air freighted.
Box Scheme Members helping with the carrot harvest before the harvest feast. Open day 2006
WHO WE ARE:
Peter Haynes
& Pepper the dog. Pete studied agriculture at Seale Hayne college in Devon. He has farmed from Aberdeenshire to New Zealand and lots of places inbetween. He is a mechanic and a machinery inventor. And is responsible for the new hand welded 'Marvelous mechanical Market stall'. Pepper is his dog who guards the veg. Soil Association Registration No: G1796 and P1796
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We are also signed up Living Wage Employers because we believe that 'peasant work' is hard work and globally an undervalued profession. Producing good healthy food in a method that respects the environment often means greater human energy input (hand weeding!!). Which may not be deemed economically efficient but is - we believe - environmentally much more efficient and sustainable. For this reason organic has often been perceived as costing more. However we argue that by not resorting to the quick chemical fix - organic food doesn't cost the earth....
As Oscar Wilde once wisely noted - "NOWADAYS WE KNOW THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING AND THE VALUE OF NOTHING" 
Leif - Grower at Ashurst since 2003 and keenest beekeeper of the Ashurst bee co-op. Loves skateboards and motorbikes. Has intersperced his time at Ashurst with travelling the globe and is the best at entertaining the troops with brain teazing conundrums, puzzles and jokes.
Collette - Cut her growers teeth at Charles Dowdings (of 'no dig' fame) market garden in 1991. She is jack of all trades, master of none but is passionate about Organic. Is a member of The Organic Growers Alliance and the Landworkers Alliance and likes nothing better than to campaign for the environmental benefits of Organic food.
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Mark Sciccluna ('Maltese' Mark)
Chief Box Picker and Packer. Is a human whirlwind at getting stuff done. Hails from Malta but has lived here for many years and knows more about the British Isles than most Brits. |
