We recently hosted a visit from RAZLOG LAG, a LEADER group from southern Bulgaria. The visit was designed for them to see how we run the LEADER programme in England, and also to see what types of projects we would typically fund.
After an hour-long meeting at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe, we went to visit Hampden Bottom Farm, where the Chilterns LAG had supported a project to purchase a Sly Agri Direct Drill to improve soil structure through reducing cultivations, enabling the farm to drill combinable crops into cover crops.
From there we went to Buckmoorend Farm Shop, where the Chilterns LAG supported the expansion of the farm shop enabling the business to sell home-produced hot food and drinks to passers-by. The farm is situated along a ridgeway and the retail offer enables the business to capitalise on the high footfall of the ridgeway.
We also visited Wigginton Village Shop and Café. The community-led organisation was set up so there would be a retail offer in the village. The café has proven extremely popular and attracts visitors from many neighbouring villages.