Benefits of Joining COCA Organic Farm

Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture (COCA) offers more than just food—it provides a pathway to healthy living, ecological awareness, and community connection. Members gain access to certified organic produce while contributing to a shared commitment to sustainability, education, and ethical farming. Located in the heart of Pembrokeshire, West Wales, COCA champions a model of farming that is resilient, transparent, and people-focused.

Exclusive Access to Organic Produce

One of the most significant benefits of joining COCA is having year-round access to fresh, chemical-free, locally grown food straight from the farm in St Davids. COCA operates on a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, where members share the harvest and benefits of the farm.

Members receive weekly shares of seasonal vegetables that are:

• Certified organic by the Soil Association
• Harvested within 24 hours of delivery or collection
• Varied by season to maintain diversity and nutrition

In 2023, members received over 70 different types of vegetables throughout the year, including heritage carrots, kale, leeks, courgettes, and tomatoes. Seasonal surplus is occasionally processed into preserves and sauces, reducing waste and adding value to the produce.

Unlike typical farm boxes or supermarkets, COCA’s produce does not travel hundreds of miles or sit in storage with diminishing nutritional value. Each delivery offers maximum freshness and taste while minimising environmental costs.

Community Engagement and Shared Responsibility

COCA isn't just a place to buy food. It’s a cooperative effort where members are actively involved in its success. Everyone shares the benefits and participates in the challenges of farming together. This structure builds stronger relationships, moral responsibility, and deeper appreciation for the food we eat.

Every member agrees to support the growing and distribution process by engaging in optional tasks such as:

• Attending monthly workdays
• Helping harvest during peak seasons
• Participating in crop planning decisions
• Hosting and attending community open days

This participatory model fosters mutual respect between growers and consumers and decentralises the power typical in commercial agriculture. Instead of a passive shopping experience, COCA members help shape and support the farm’s direction and operations.

Educational Opportunities and Skill Development

COCA also acts as a living classroom. Members have access to educational opportunities designed to build agricultural knowledge and life skills. These include both casual and structured learning formats that are open to people of all ages and experience levels.

Learning experiences offered:

Program	Description
On-Farm Workshops	Seasonal gardening, composting, and seed-saving
Internships & WWOOFing	Hands-on immersive learning for young adults
School Visits	Tailored visits for local schools, covering eco-literacy
Skill-Shares	Member-led events to exchange traditional skills

In 2022 alone, over 200 schoolchildren visited COCA for outdoor learning days. The farm also hosted permaculture workshops that attracted attendees from across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

These programs not only build agricultural literacy but also cultivate a new generation of growers, food advocates, and environmentally conscious citizens.

Environmental Impact and Sustainable Farming

Core to COCA’s philosophy is the protection of the earth through truly sustainable agricultural practices. As a certified organic farm, COCA uses techniques that actively improve soil health, support biodiversity, and eliminate synthetic chemicals.

Key sustainable practices at COCA:

• Rotational cropping to avoid soil fatigue
• Companion planting for natural pest management
• Rainwater harvesting for irrigation
• Use of locally saved organic seeds
• On-site compost generation and no synthetic fertilisers

These approaches have helped drastically reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional farming. In fact, research indicates that small-scale organic farms like COCA produce up to 40% lower greenhouse gas emissions per hectare compared to intensive agriculture.

Additionally, the farm supports pollinators like wild bees by maintaining flowering strips and hedgerows, vital to maintaining food system resilience in the region.

Health and Well-being Advantages

Eating fresh, organic food has immediate health benefits, from improved digestion to enhanced immune function. COCA members benefit not only nutritionally but also mentally and emotionally. Visiting or volunteering at the farm provides a deeper sense of connection to nature and a shared purpose.

Wellness-related advantages reported by members:

• Higher vegetable intake and better dietary habits
• More physical outdoor activity
• Reduced stress levels through farm activities
• Stronger community ties and sense of belonging

According to a 2021 member survey, over 72% of participants reported reduced dependency on supermarket purchases and processed foods within the first six months of joining. Many cited this transition as a major contributor to better eating patterns and mental well-being.

Member-Only Events and Volunteer Opportunities

Membership unlocks access to a range of community events and volunteer chances, making COCA more than just a food system—it becomes a social ecosystem.

Regular member activities include:

• Summer Solstice Gathering with local music and shared meals
• Apple Harvest Festivals and cider pressing days
• Seasonal planning meetings with food tastings and idea exchanges
• Volunteer Thursdays for social working hours

These activities promote both self-expression and collective effort, welcoming everyone regardless of age or background. Volunteers often feel a great sense of purpose and pride, whether they are planting runner beans or showing a visitor around the polytunnels.

In 2023, COCA hosted over 500 volunteering visits, demonstrating the strong bond between members and the land.

Support for Local Economy and Farmers

COCA keeps wealth within the local economy, helping build financial resilience among small producers. By avoiding supermarket chains and long distribution routes, every pound spent within COCA cycles back into Pembrokeshire’s rural economy.

Key impacts:

• Supporting three part-time salaried local growers
• Sourcing organic compost and tools from local suppliers
• Collaborating with nearby artisans on joint food-based products
• Providing fair pricing to food consumers and producers

COCA also supplies occasional surplus produce to independent food projects in Haverfordwest and Fishguard, thus increasing community food security without engaging in food waste.

Members know where their money goes: directly to farmers and infrastructure, not middlemen or corporate shareholders.

Shared Decision-Making and Democratic Governance

COCA is owned and managed by its membership through an ethical cooperative structure. All major decisions and financial choices are made democratically, with one vote per member regardless of financial contribution.

Key features of COCA’s governance:

• Annual General Meetings with transparent financial reports
• Rotating steering committees and sub-groups
• Consensus-based decisions on everything from pricing to crop types
• Member participation through working groups in finance, outreach, and education

This participatory governance model builds leadership within the community and ensures that COCA evolves in a way that reflects its values and collective needs.

In 2022, over 60% of members participated in at least one governance decision, reinforcing the sense of ownership and horizontal power structure that defines COCA.

By joining COCA, members take part in an ecosystem that goes far beyond vegetables. They become part of a sustainable food revolution rooted in fairness, ecological integrity, and community resilience. From the soil of Caerhys to the supper tables of West Wales, every participation matters.