Food grown locally is harvested at full ripeness and delivered fresher with a lower cost to the environment. In addition local food is safer (transparent supply chains) and retains more of the essential nutrients we need for a healthy life. Local farms also create valuable and rewarding local jobs, with potential to contribute to community life by having open-days, running events, education sessions, work-experience, and much more.
Upper Ballaird Farm Co-op, situated on a hill between Balfron and Buchlyvie with wonderful views across the countryside, has been quietly bringing these benefits to our local villages for three years. Thankfully, this year was a brilliant growing season, after the hard season in 2024. But the farm has had some setbacks too this year and today stands at a crucial point in its development. In response to this a Support Group (of some existing CSA members) has come together to help the farm continue to grow and thrive into 2026.
The farm has been run on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) basis with almost all the effort and expertise provided by the owners Philipp and Louise. But with Louise leaving, and Philipp dividing his time between farming and teaching horticulture, the time has come for the community-at-large to provide more support if it wishes to keep the farm running.
What now?
The first thing the farm urgently needs is a pool of volunteers who can provide a few hours a week helping with planting, weeding, harvesting, and other activities. In return, volunteers will gain experience of life on the farm and hopefully make new friends! Volunteers may also receive discounts on any vegetable boxes purchased, although this will need to be confirmed once the 2026 season is planned out.
The second thing the farm needs is new customers, as well as notes of commitment from existing customers. Whilst box sizes and prices have not yet been set, you probably already know that the farm is run on a non-profit basis and so prices will be attractive when compared to other options for top-quality produce. Note that the CSA basis means that customers share risks as well as rewards. More information is available here: Upper Ballaird Coop Members Agreement.
Finally, please help us set a valuable direction for the future development of the farm. Please respond to the survey (by end of November at the latest) to help us, the Support Group, understand how to support the farm at this critical time.
The farm owners will need to make decisions around the middle of December about the the farm’s future. If not enough support is found then one option is that the farm will, sadly, close. So, please take time to share your views with the Support Group using the link above, and also share this post with anyone you know of who cares about local food and community.
As always, please feel free to send any questions or comments to the farm via upperballaird[at]farmcoop.scot (if they are for the new CSA support group please mention it in the subject line and it will be forwarded to them)
Future of the farm
Food grown locally is harvested at full ripeness and delivered fresher with a lower cost to the environment. In addition local food is safer (transparent supply chains) and retains more of the essential nutrients we need for a healthy life. Local farms also create valuable and rewarding local jobs, with potential to contribute to community life by having open-days, running events, education sessions, work-experience, and much more.
Upper Ballaird Farm Co-op, situated on a hill between Balfron and Buchlyvie with wonderful views across the countryside, has been quietly bringing these benefits to our local villages for three years. Thankfully, this year was a brilliant growing season, after the hard season in 2024. But the farm has had some setbacks too this year and today stands at a crucial point in its development. In response to this a Support Group (of some existing CSA members) has come together to help the farm continue to grow and thrive into 2026.
The farm has been run on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) basis with almost all the effort and expertise provided by the owners Philipp and Louise. But with Louise leaving, and Philipp dividing his time between farming and teaching horticulture, the time has come for the community-at-large to provide more support if it wishes to keep the farm running.
What now?
The first thing the farm urgently needs is a pool of volunteers who can provide a few hours a week helping with planting, weeding, harvesting, and other activities. In return, volunteers will gain experience of life on the farm and hopefully make new friends! Volunteers may also receive discounts on any vegetable boxes purchased, although this will need to be confirmed once the 2026 season is planned out.
The second thing the farm needs is new customers, as well as notes of commitment from existing customers. Whilst box sizes and prices have not yet been set, you probably already know that the farm is run on a non-profit basis and so prices will be attractive when compared to other options for top-quality produce. Note that the CSA basis means that customers share risks as well as rewards. More information is available here: Upper Ballaird Coop Members Agreement.
Finally, please help us set a valuable direction for the future development of the farm. Please respond to the survey (by end of November at the latest) to help us, the Support Group, understand how to support the farm at this critical time.
The farm owners will need to make decisions around the middle of December about the the farm’s future. If not enough support is found then one option is that the farm will, sadly, close. So, please take time to share your views with the Support Group using the link above, and also share this post with anyone you know of who cares about local food and community.
As always, please feel free to send any questions or comments to the farm via upperballaird[at]farmcoop.scot (if they are for the new CSA support group please mention it in the subject line and it will be forwarded to them)