Liz Ellison with Cow

Liz Ellison, manager of Wellgate Community Farm, reveals how she came to tend to her flocks.

I was born in 1977 and have lived in Loughton most of my life. I come from a large East End family, my Nan having had 11 children, and I am lucky and proud that aunts, uncles and further generations remain very close knit.

I graduated with a BSc Honours in agriculture andfood science and was happy to move anywhere for animal or environmental work.

Surprisingly the only position to pop up at the Job Centre was development officer at Wellgate Community Farm. Pigs, ponies, goats and sheep all came to greet me before my interview, calming my nerves but making me want the job all the more.

Luckily I got it but in my mind it was a ‘temporary stepping stone whilst I found a proper full-time career’. That was 12 years ago.

What made me stay are the people you meet and begin to care for, the sense of achievement, the diversity, having funny stories to tell making a difference. I could go on.

I am now the farm manager spending more time pushing a pen in the office than a broom on the yard. I work with a great team who certainly proved their commitment when last year the farm began to struggle financially. Sadly having had to cut wages, hours, make one redundancy and suspend the weekend young farmers club, we launched the Keep Us Going Campaign.

Economically, 2011 looks no brighter than 2010, but so far the farm has survived and despite everything there remains amazing enthusiasm from staff, volunteers and supporters sharing the responsibility and the desire that Wellgate continues for future communities to enjoy.

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