Shropshire Young Farmers’

Greenhouse Building in the Himalayas

(30^th June 2010) 

Today (30^th June 2010) 12 intrepid Shropshire Young Farmers from across Shropshire set off from Shrewsbury to take part in an eighteen-day charity project to change the lives of people and communities living in the Himalayas.

Their task, thought up by Huw Thomas (County Chairman) is to build a greenhouse at the Komic Monastery, in the Spiti Valley in North India, one of the highest villages in Asia at 4513m. The greenhouse will enable the local community to grow their own fresh vegetables even when the temperatures plummet during their long winters. But this is no ordinary greenhouse – it must be strong enough to withstand the harsh Himalayan winter and have enough room to house produce for a whole community. The team only received confirmation in June that the route to this remote village was now clear of snow following their long cold winter.

Whilst working on the building project, the members will be staying with local families in their homestays, supporting the local Spiti Valley community, and learning about a different culture, whilst coping with the extreme altitude. Shropshire YFC has joined forces with I-to-I for the challenge, which specialises in volunteer abroad opportunities, and Ecosphere in Spiti Valley, a charity set up to enhance the Spiti value economy, ecology and sustainability.

Over the last six months the Young Farmers Himalaya Team have raised over £12,000 to fund this building project arranging events such as Barn Dances, Raffles, a Fashion Show, a 12 mile run, running bars at events, photoshoots and articles, bag packing and other creative projects. Shropshire YFC would like to thank all their supporters with this fundraising to make this project possible.

Shropshire YFC County Organiser, Megan Jones, was at Shrewsbury station to see them all off, said “This will be an amazing experience for the group, a chance of a lifetime. To travel, to learn, to provide a long term benefit to so many people. A big charity project which has taken months to plan, but it’s just lovely to see them all so keen to get the trip underway. I can’t wait to see all their photos and hear their news when they get back on 17^th July”.

A picture is attached of the 12 members on Shrewsbury Station as they depart. They are :-

Top - Dan Powell (Chirbury & Marton YFC), Rachael Parry (Dorrington YFC), Abi Moseley (Nesscliffe YFC)

Middle - Hannah Woodhall (Ludlow YFC), Gareth Hughes (Whittington & Oswestry YFC), Lucy Stokes (County Vice Chairman & Alberbury YFC), Annie Davies (Nesscliffe YFC)

Bottom - Robbie Hemming (Alberbury YFC), Huw Thomas (County Chairman + Chirbury & Marton YFC), Rhys Jones (Much Wenlock YFC), Steve Butler (Whittington & Oswestry YFC), Henry Jones (Nesscliffe YFC).