A COMMUNITY agriculture scheme in Chagford will host an open day this weekend to celebrate its immensely successful first year.

Chagfood aims to keep traditional farming methods alive in the town while cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and has been so successful it is to double in size over the coming year.

The family-friendly open day will take place on Saturday, March 26 at Chagfood's field just outside the town and will start at 10am.

The day will include plenty of activities for the children, including horse and cart rides, an Easter egg hunt, face painting, and sunflower planting.

As part of National Climate Week, Chagfood's open day will also include a working horse demonstration, highlighting how traditional agricultural techniques can help cut carbon emissions.

Chagfood has attracted particular attention for being one of the only market gardens in the country to deliver its produce with a horse and cart, and Samson the horse has become something of a local celebrity.

Ed Hamer, one of the scheme's growers, said Chagfood is unique not only in the way it delivers its produce, but in the way it is grown.

'Unlike veg box schemes, we are actually a community supported agriculture scheme. People take out what is effectively an annual subscription with us, which earns them a share of the produce.

'This means that people are a lot more involved in the production of their food, and know a lot more about how and where their food has been grown.

'This way of working also means the farm knows it has already sold its goods in advance, making us far more effective.'

Chagfood's monthly work days on the farm are regularly attended by around 15 people, all keen to help out and learn about the way the produce is grown.

A 'small' share in the scheme costs the equivalent of £11 per week, while a 'large' share costs around £15 per week.

Ed added the benefits of eating local, seasonal produce were many and varied.

'Clearly, this way of farming is far better for the local and global environment, and we are pleased to keep traditional farming methods alive.

'It's also far healthier for us to eat seasonal vegetables, rather than buying out-of-season imported vegetables from the supermarket.

'Over time, our bodies have evolved to eat foods that are in season, and have come to rely on the goodness of different types of food at different times of the year. People have certainly started to notice the benefits of this scheme.'

Chagfood has been so successful that it has just taken on an additional two acres, and is hoping to double the number of households involved in the scheme over the coming months.

Further information on the scheme is available on the Chagfood website at http://www.chagfood.org.uk">www.chagfood.org.uk and plenty of information and family fun will be available at the open day on Saturday March 26.