Shropshire-based farmer nominated in 'outstanding individuals' section of National Lottery Awards
A Shropshire farmer has been nominated for a prestigious award as a result of her work in the local community.
Charlotte Hollins, of Fordhall Organic Farm in Market Drayton, has been nominated in the 'outstanding individuals’ section of the 2023 National Lottery Awards.
Her father, Arthur Hollins, was a pioneer of organic farming who took on the tenancy of Fordhall Farm in 1929, when he was just 14 years old.
Following Arthur’s death in 2005, Charlotte and her brother Ben had to battle to save the farm and their family home, at the age of 19 and 21.
The pair established the Fordhall Community Land Initiative in 2006, bringing the farm into community ownership with 8,000 people from across the world now owning a stake.
Together they have mastered thinking outside the box and Charlotte now manages the Fordhall Community Land Initiative, with Ben as their tenant farmer.
Charlotte said: “"I am extremely honoured to have been shortlisted in the National Lottery Awards this year.
"The National Lottery have supported Fordhall in so many ways over the years including our farm trails, care farm and most recently our youth project that works with vulnerable young people.
"Fordhall has come such a long way since those early days of selling sausages from a small chest freezer and running community events from a tumbling down old building.
"Creating an appreciation for Mother Nature and all she has to offer is very close to our hearts, and we are on a continual journey of finding new ways to do that.
"It was something that Dad passionately believed in and so do we.
"However, it is only due to all the support we have had from the people of Shropshire and further afield that has allowed us to get to where we are today.
"If we win the £5,000 award, then we intend to invest it in supporting other land-based projects across the country to follow in our footsteps. Ensuring everything we have and continue to learn is shared to support others."
With the help of National Lottery funding, including a £62,500 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund in 2022, Fordhall now offers a range of opportunities for adults with learning difficulties and vulnerable young people, encouraging them to grow and cook fresh produce, help with conservation work, and engage with a variety of activities on the farm.
The National Lottery Awards are the annual celebration of the ordinary individuals and organisations who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.
This year, 3,780 people and projects were nominated for the work they have carried out with support from The National Lottery.
Over the summer, a panel made up of representatives from The National Lottery and partners will decide the winners in each of the individual categories.
Winners will be revealed in the autumn and will receive a £5,000 cash prize for their organisation and a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy.
