Buy Shares in Fordhall – become a landlord!
Good news - shares are still available! A minimum shareholding in the Fordhall Community Land Initiative is £50, and they mean that you part-own Fordhall Organic Farm for life.
Purchasing our non-profit-making community shares enables us to continue our story, with you as a part of it - safeguarding livelihoods on the land, nurturing nature, nourishing our soil and supporting our community through the activities we run.
What does this mean?
- You will have a voice within each strategic direction we take, helping us to navigate the future together for the benefit of our community and our planet.
- These lifelong, non-profit-making community shares entitle you to one vote at the Annual General Meeting.
- You will be issued with a beautifully presented share certificate and a free annual subscription to our quarterly ‘Grazer’ Magazine for your first year as a landlord.
- You may purchase as many shares as you wish, but each member is only entitled to a single vote, ensuring the FCLI remains 100% democratic.
How it works
Before purchasing community shares, it is important to be aware that shares are withdrawable upon request. This is at the discretion of the Board (the FCLI Board has the ability suspend this option without notice if deemed in the best interests of the Society) and may be subject to a small administration fee.
These rules are here to safeguard the FCLI as a charitable community-benefit (not member-benefit) society.
We strongly recommend that you read the FCLI Society Rules before purchasing shares in the Fordhall Community Land Initiative.
Investing in the future
Investing in the Fordhall Community Land Initiative is an investment into a new future. Your investment supports our five impact areas:
Sustaining livelihoods on the land
Experiencing nature
Nurturing the planet
Nourishing bodies and minds
Inspiring others
We strongly recommend that you read the FCLI Society rules for our charitable community benefit society, prior to purchasing a share.
Buying shares as a gift
For a child
- Applications need to be placed in the child’s name, with the Guardian’s name clearly marked in the relevant box.
- When the child turns 16 they will be issued with an adult shareholding.
For a birthday / anniversary / wedding / christening
- Applications need to be made in the name of the shareholder.
- If you would like the application to be sent to you to pass on to the recipient, please give your full name, address and contact details in the large box at the bottom of the application.
The important bits
- You are buying shares in the Fordhall Community Land Initiative (FCLI), which is registered as a charitable community benefit society.
- Shares cannot be transferred or sold, but they can be withdrawn from the Society on request. This is at the discretion of the FCLI Board (the FCLI Board has the ability suspend this option without notice if deemed in the best interests of the Society) and may be subject to a small admin fee. These rules are here to safeguard the FCLI as a charitable community-benefit (not member-benefit) society.
- Share capital is not a guaranteed investment. There is a risk that it may not be possible to withdraw the value of your shares in the future. If you are thinking of investing significant sums, then we recommend you seek independent financial advice first.
- The value of your shareholding never changes.
- The Fordhall Community Land Initiative has existed since 2005, and it currently owns 128 acres of land and buildings at Fordhall Organic Farm, renting the land to a tenant farmer, whilst simultaneously using it as a valuable community resource.
The community landlord
Managed by founder, Charlotte Hollins, and a team of incredible paid staff and volunteers, the Fordhall Community Land Initiative (registered no. IP30030R and registered Exempt Charity with HMRC XR91116) runs many community projects onsite including a care farm, youth project, volunteering, school visits, cafe, youth residentials, meeting room, weddings, glamping and more. Fordhall is a working farm and the first community owned farm in England. It currently has over 8000 community non-profit making shareholders from around the world!
It's not just at the heart of the community, but run by them and answerable to them - how cool is that? We'd love for you to join us too.
Read the story of the Fordhall Community Land Initiative here.
Join Our Community
We'd love you to become a community landlord and join us in the future of Fordhall Organic Farm.
Please follow the form on the page below to buy your share or feel free to contact us if you have any queries.