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Oxford City Farm Launches 100 Root Supporters Individual Giving Campaign
Oxford, UK — Oxford City Farm is calling on its community to help secure the future of one of the city’s most loved green spaces by becoming regular supporters.
Based in East Oxford, the independent charity offers free access to farming, food growing, animals, volunteering, and well being activities for people of all ages. Despite common assumptions, the farm receives no core council funding and must raise £150,000 each year through grants and donations to cover its running costs.
“It costs around £685 a day to keep the farm running,” said Nicole Titera, Farm Lead. “From animal care and utilities to staffing and maintaining safe, welcoming community activities, these are the costs that make everything else possible.”
Why does the farm matter to our community?
So much happens at the farm throughout the week - we have daily animal care volunteering, school groups, toddler stay and play sessions, cooking sessions for adults with disabilities.
“The public volunteering sessions are an invaluable resource for the community - free, no need to book and no commitment, it’s a place you can go as and when is supportive for you, which is very rare”. (Oxford City Farm volunteer)
“The farm holds a special place in my life. I come here on a Thursday for a shift with the goats and my 8-year-old is always reluctant to leave. It's her happy place.” (Oxford City Farm Volunteer)
Why we’re growing our regular givers now
Regular community support helps the farm cover ongoing core costs that funders rarely provide, including utilities and office expenses around £22,000 per year. Currently, Oxford City Farm has just five regular givers and aims to grow this to 100 this spring, generating around £2,000 a month. For example 100 people giving £20/month donation would fund a Saturday Community Farming Session for a year, giving supporters a tangible connection to the farm’s work.
To visualise the growth of the campaign, the farm is launching a 100 Regular Root Supporters tree mural on site. Each week as new supporters join, a wooden leaf will be added to the tree, symbolising the collective impact of the community and showing the Saturday sessions coming to life.
“After a break-in last year, the response from our community was overwhelming,” said Nicole Titera. “The tree mural builds on that spirit — it’s a visual reminder of how many people love and care for the farm, and how together we can sustain it for everyone.”
“Project grants are vital, but they rarely cover ongoing costs,” said Martin Reed, Treasurer and regular animal care volunteer. “Regular giving ensures the farm can deliver its core activities consistently, while keeping the lights on and the animals fed.”
You can make a real difference every month. By giving just £20 a month, you can help fund the Saturday Community Farming Sessions for a full year — keeping the farm open, activities running, and the tree growing leaf by leaf. Join our 100 Root Supporters today.