Agroecology is far more than a method of food production—it’s a powerful, transformative approach that nurtures soil, plants, people, and wildlife.
AGROECOLOGY
It recognises the deep interconnectedness of all living things, from the microorganisms in our soil to the social and political systems that shape our food networks. Agroecology offers a vision of a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Our work demonstrates that agroecology has the power to transform food systems for the benefit of everyone. Through participating in our farm, people gain a profound sense of connection, purpose, and well-being—understanding their place within a wider ecosystem and their power to make change.
By supplying local schools and embedding social justice in our food system through a solidarity pricing model, we make fresh, nutritious, and sustainable food accessible to everyone, not just the privileged.
We follow the 10 key principles set out by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, ensuring that our approach aligns with global best practices.
Scroll down to find out more.
THE 10 KEY PRINCIPLES
Synergies
Understanding natural relationships is key to creating a healthy farm that can demonstrate a model that is strong in the face of climate change. For example, understanding that clover adds nutrients to soil so we don’t need artificial fertiliser or understanding that woodchip encourages fungi that feed our vegetables.
Resilience
We believe that our farm is resilient in many ways; it is resilient to the impact of climate change, our local community is more resilient with us there, and we are more resilient to outside factors in the market like Covid-19 and Brexit.
Culture and Food Traditions
We understand the power of food to educate and unite and believe it can be a vital tool when integrated into the school day. Our food is grown in collaboration with the schools we supply, ensuring we are providing produce that reflects our communities.
Diversity
As farmers we understand that nature loves diversity. We grow a diverse range of crops, trees and plants, and we encourage biodiversity on the farm. A biodiverse farm is one that strengthens the existing relationships between nature, wildlife, and the land.
Education
Education and co-creation of knowledge is at the heart of what we do. We deliver a wide variety of educational programmes all centered around the farm’s cycles. Our farmers and facilitators work with students, teachers, the local community and volunteers to help shape the farm, making it more resilient and relevant.
Recycling
From turning school food waste into compost to recycling nutrients to storing rainwater on the farm, we try to mirror nature, which wastes nothing.
Responsible Governance
As a charity and community-focused organisation, we have a duty towards transparency. Beyond that, we share our practices, resources, and systems through our training programmes and on our social media channels. We have a student Board of Advisors and a Board of Trustees and will soon be launching a new Youth Board, enabling many different voices to contribute to our Governance.
Efficiency
Innovative agroecological practices produce more using less external resources. We try to create as much of what we need on the farm as possible so that we do not need to buy in. For example, we take leaf litter from the school maintenance team and turn it into compost. We also sell our vegetables to school families so that they don’t need to travel to buy their fresh produce.
Human and Social Values
The farm is about all living things, humans included. We aim to protect and improve livelihoods and social wellbeing through our education and community programmes and by offering a welcoming, safe, and engaging space for everyone in our community to access and benefit from.
Circular Economy
Our farm aims to reconnect consumers to where their food comes from, allowing you to buy your food directly from the person that grows it. We are creating local solutions that can be replicated on a global scale.
Download our AGROECOLOGY poster HERE
