Info, news & debate

Smallholding

orfc

Join the people who are fighting back against corporate control of global food production

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There’s something seriously wrong with the way most of our food is produced and sold. The corporate sector is gaining control of more and more of global food production, shifting the focus from nutrition, flavour and nature towards profit and profit only.

Read more about Join the people who are fighting back against corporate control of global food production

planningcottage

Why does the planning system make it so difficult for people who want to live on the land sustainably?

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Being able to go through the process of making a planning application for a low impact development may be a sign that there has been some progress for those of us who have hitherto lived, to paraphrase, as outlaws on the planning frontier.

Read more about Why does the planning system make it so difficult for people who want to live on the land sustainably?

chickentractor

How a ‘chicken tractor’ can clear and improve soil, as well as getting rid of pests

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My vegetable field has some problems. It’s not that vegetables don’t grow there; over two seasons I’ve had some notable successes, it’s just that there’s verdant weed growth throughout, more slugs than you can shake a stick at, and the soil needs improving

Read more about How a ‘chicken tractor’ can clear and improve soil, as well as getting rid of pests

Communities in Scotland may soon be able to purchase land even if the landowner doesn’t want to sell; where do you stand?

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There are radical changes on the table when it comes to land ownership in Scotland. The Land Reform Scotland Bill is intended to address the huge disparity in land ownership in Scotland – but there is one clause that is making some people extremely hopeful, and other very worried.

Read more about Communities in Scotland may soon be able to purchase land even if the landowner doesn’t want to sell; where do you stand?

Paul Jennings : his journey building a home on a smallholding in Wales under One Planet Development

One Planet Development arrested: my attempts to build a home on a smallholding in Wales

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We moved to Wales because of an extraordinary Welsh Government policy. I shan’t lie, despite all experience and political conviction to the contrary, we were optimistic. One Planet Development seemed to be the kind of advance for low impact living and sustainable land use that we had been hoping for

Read more about One Planet Development arrested: my attempts to build a home on a smallholding in Wales

dragonfly land co-op - sheep

Wanted: new members for a co-operative farm – you are invited to an exploratory weekend

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You are invited to Ffynnon Teilo Farm Activity Weekend, to explore creating a co-operative farm – Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th of September. Activities will include: pond clearing, footpath and step renovation, fire making, campsite cooking and farm tour. Camping space available Saturday night.

Read more about Wanted: new members for a co-operative farm – you are invited to an exploratory weekend




share offer

Help set up eco-settlements by moving your money and getting a better return than from a bank savings account

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If we want to: help set up organic smallholdings; allow people to build natural homes on their land; preserve rural skills and livelihoods; and develop a sustainable, non-corporate food supply, we have to do more than just talk about it.

Read more about Help set up eco-settlements by moving your money and getting a better return than from a bank savings account

ecological land co-op

I’ve joined the board of the Ecological Land Co-operative because I want to change the way land is owned and farmed

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On Wednesday evening I attended the AGM of the Ecological Land Co-op at Freightliners City Farm in London. I was standing for election to the board after being invited to apply by Shaun Chamberlin of Dark Optimism

Read more about I’ve joined the board of the Ecological Land Co-operative because I want to change the way land is owned and farmed

yorkley court

Introducing Yorkley Court Community Farm – you can help them to secure their land with a land trust, and avoid eviction

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Yorkley Court Community Farm is in the Forest of Dean. They contacted us as they’re involved in a legal battle to stay on the land that they’re currently occupying. The ownership of the land is contested, but a lot of damage has been done

Read more about Introducing Yorkley Court Community Farm – you can help them to secure their land with a land trust, and avoid eviction

elc chickens

Want to see land shared more equally, and managed ecologically? If so, here’s what to do

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We used to get people on our straw-bale building courses who were amazed at how simple and quick a technique it is. They’d sometimes say ‘wow, I’m going to get a few acres and build my own home!’ and we’d have to inform them that they might have to do it in another country.

Read more about Want to see land shared more equally, and managed ecologically? If so, here’s what to do

AGM

Ecological Land Co-op plan 20 (!) new settlements, and you can get involved – new community share offer launches today

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We’re excited to announce an opportunity to invest in the development of ecological smallholdings in England. Our key aim is to widen the access to land for sustainable use through the creation of affordable low-impact smallholdings. We’d love you to join us in making this possible.

Read more about Ecological Land Co-op plan 20 (!) new settlements, and you can get involved – new community share offer launches today

agroecology research

the Ecological Land Co-op have produced a much-needed, free overview of research on ecological agriculture in the UK

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The Ecological Land Co-operative recently produced an overview of research on ecological agriculture in the UK. We’ve used this to create a new online resource, freely accessible via our website.

Read more about the Ecological Land Co-op have produced a much-needed, free overview of research on ecological agriculture in the UK