STONEBRIDGE City Farm is making efforts to become more financially self-sufficient in an effort to survive funding cuts.
As the farm cannot charge entrance fees, it is trying to build up its farm shop to generate revenue – making it less reliant on grants.
The farm needs help from professionals with experience in accountancy, law, human resources and business who are willing to work as volunteers or join the management committee.
The farm is also looking at turning its caf� into a social enterprise, so money would be ploughed back into the farm.
Education officer Stephen Gee said: "Worried doesn't cover it. The farm's existence is under threat due to funding cutbacks.
"We know we are not getting anything from the county council and we are not sure of what the extent of the cuts from the city council are going to be.
"All the other funding bodies and charitable trusts are all under more pressure because there are more people applying to them."
Staff hope events like the recent Seedy Sunday, where people could swap seeds and buy plants grown at the farm, will attract more visitors who then spend money at the farm shop and caf�.
Over the past four years the farm has managed to become less dependent on grants. It now earns 30 per cent of its overall income.
The farm shop sells food produced on site, including eggs, honey, fruit, vegetables and jam.
It also sells gifts such as keyrings and fridge magnets with photos of animals from Stonebridge.
A 2011 calendar with photos of the farm proved so popular that three print runs sold out.
Seedy Sunday educated local people about sowing seeds and producing homegrown foods.
Audrey Leach, horticultural supervisor and outreach worker, said: "The swap helps to build a sense of community. Gardeners have the opportunity to interact and build relationships.
"It is critical to get funding for the farm because if we don't, so many people will lose out."
Through volunteering, the farm gives opportunities to the disabled, young people and people with mental illness.
It offers work experience and educational programmes that may be hard to get otherwise.
Hayley Broughton, 19, from Sherwood, had trained as a hairdresser before deciding it wasn't the job she wanted to do.
She has now been volunteering at the farm for three weeks. She said: "Working outside was always something I want to do. It's great fun."
If the farm closes, between 80 and 100 volunteers a week would be lost, and Mr Gee is concerned these people would be forgotten.
On site, the farm has fruit and vegetable patches, as well as a selection of animals that children wouldn't be given the opportunity to see in the city.
Childminder Nicola Randall, 26, from Thorneywood, said: "I bring the children I look after here in the summer.
"It's good for them to get to know where the food comes from and a chance to see animals they normally wouldn't."
Anyone who would like to volunteer can contact the farm on 0115 9505113
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