A WILTSHIRE organic vegetable grower is less than £200 short of her goal to buy a much-needed new tractor to boost her business.

Award-winning local organic veg grower Kate Collyns, founder of Grown Green in Winsley, launched a crowdfunding online appeal on May 29 with the aim of raising £9,000 in a month to buy a much-needed tractor with attachments.

Kate has grown veggies on 2.5 acres rented from Hartley Farm at Winsley for 12 years and sells fresh, organic produce year-round.

Her business, Grown Green, has acquired an additional 2.5-acre field, but in order to double the production of local organic veg, herbs, fruit and nuts, she needs a tractor.

Wiltshire Times: Kate Collyns with boxes of organic veg produce.

“We have already hit 97 per cent of our target, £8,805, with just a few days left to go,” says Kate, whose appeal is due to end on Monday, July 3.

“The support and encouragement has been amazing; we really need to keep the momentum going for the last few days so we hit our target.

“If we don't reach our target, we get nothing and all the pledges so far will be refunded. There are still some really great rewards that people can claim, so we're encouraging people to treat themselves and support local food and farming at the same time!”

Currently, Kate makes do with borrowing tractors - when they are available - from generous neighbouring farmers to cultivate the field.

She uses hand tools, pedestrian mowers and a small two-wheeled rotovator in the polytunnels and field.

Wiltshire Times: Kate Collyns, of Grown Green, at work in one of her polytunnels.Kate Collyns, of Grown Green, at work in one of her polytunnels. (Image: Kate Collyns/Grown Green)

A tractor with a front loader attachment will enable her to make homemade compost from waste woodchip supplied by local tree surgeons.

A root lifter attachment will mean larger quantities of staple crops such as potatoes, carrots and parsnips can be grown; and a trailer will bring in the bumper harvests.

Kate hopes the crowdfunder will bring further engagement with the local community, many of whom have already helped by building polytunnels, joining weeding parties, and bringing in the pumpkin harvest.

As well as supplying locals with zero-food-miles produce, Grown Green also employs local people and holds market garden tours to connect others with the outdoors and farming.

As well as her own fresh organic veg boxes, bouquets and plants, supporters can claim signed books and limited-edition work by local artists, cream teas, garden tours and day passes to a local co-working space.

One lucky backer has also already claimed the 'name the tractor' reward with details to be revealed when the campaign is over.

For more details, contact Kate Collyns growngreenveg@gmail.com. To donate, click here.