A Norfolk farm which combines the care of land with the care of people has been nominated for a Rural Oscar award.

Eastern Daily Press: Clinks Care Farm is hosting its first pumpkin and squash market. Picture: Courtesy of Clinks Care Farm.Clinks Care Farm is hosting its first pumpkin and squash market. Picture: Courtesy of Clinks Care Farm. (Image: Archant)

Clinks Care Farm in Toft Monks was nominated for the local food and drink category in Countryside Alliance Awards.

The awards, which are now in their 13th year, celebrate rural businesses, produce and communities.

Doeke Dobma, who runs the farm with his wife Iris van Zon, described the nomination as 'tremendous'.

He said: 'The awards are public-nomination led meaning that everyone has an opportunity to help vote for us and help us be recognised for what we do. They want to hear stories of what how we have helped and supported people and the local community but this needs to be done by November 13.

'In order to progress to the next stage and to stand a chance of being selected, we need support from as many people as possible with different experiences of Clinks Care Farm over the many years we have been working.

'If you have been touched by the work we do, in any way, we would ask that you go to the website and tell them about Clinks.'

Other recent achievements include the Box Scheme Delivery service, which sees the produce grown and reared at Clinks supplied to local shops and customers. The farm extended its box scheme customer base to 60 in September, and it's increasing. Produce is also sold at the Beccles and Loddon farmer's markets, with surplus produce donated to local foodbank and refugee groups.

Clinks recently celebrated seven years of its Farming on Prescription scheme, working with the NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group. The innovative scheme saw more than 200 patients suffering from mild to moderate mental health issues referred by their GPs, helping over 30 people return to the world of work.

To show support for Clinks Care Farm, visit www.countryside-alliance.org/caawards and nominate them under the food and drink category.

The farm is hosting its first pumpkin and squash market, which continues until October 31. The proceeds will go to the Sotterley Rural Resource Centre which aims to support ex-service personnel and people recovering from addictions.