Down on the farm for 25 years

The only community farm in Greater Manchester

In the age of the chicken nugget, you can be reassured that there is at least one place where youngsters can see where the food on their plate comes from.

On 31 August 2009, Wythenshawe Community Farm, the only community farm in Manchester, is inviting the public along to help celebrate its 25th birthday.

The farm in Wythenshawe Park keeps an array of livestock including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, ducks and horses, as well as a prize-winning herd of Hereford cattle.

And to mark its anniversary, it's holding an open day (11am - 4pm) where families can look around the farm, eat barbecued meat reared on site, as well as buy plants and free range eggs.

The event will also feature a children's disco, bouncy castle and face painting.

Livestock

Wythenshawe Community Farm was set up 1984 to help city-living youngsters learn about where food comes from and witness the hustle and bustle of a working farm in an urban setting.

The farm has an extensive breeding programme

With livestock ranging from its 20-strong herd of cattle down to rabbits, chickens and ferrets, the farm has an extensive breeding programme which means that young animals can be seen round the year.

Over the years, it's introduced hundreds of youngsters from the Wythenshawe area to life on the farm by helping them get involved in feeding, cleaning and mucking out.

Farm manager Alan Massey designed the farm buildings when it moved from Sharston to Wythenshawe Park 16 years ago.

"The good thing is that, over the years, it's been used by all sorts of people from the local community, older people and young people," he said.

Adding: "It's why we've never, ever charged. And with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, hopefully we'll be here for another 25 years."

Supported by Manchester City Council, the farm also raises up to £50,000 of its own funds a year training agricultural students for Myerscough College and by selling its own produce at its farm shop.

Wythenshawe Community Farm is open daily from 11.30am - 4pm (3.30pm from October to April).