Info, news & debate
Smallholding
Job opportunities with the Ecological Land Cooperative
There are exciting times ahead for our friends at the Ecological Land Cooperative, as they share news of five new job opportunities. Lauren Simpson tells us more.
Paid internship opportunity with Vallis Veg for 2021
Our friends at WWOOF UK share news of a 2021 internship opportunity with the fab folks at Vallis Veg in northeast Somerset.
Review of ‘A Small Farm Future’ by Chris Smaje
Industrial agriculture and giant monoculture farms dominate our food sector. But does it have to be that way? Could and should we build a new kind of food system based on small farms? This new book, ‘A Small Farm Future’ published by Chelsea Green, outlines what a post-covid, post-capitalist society might look like, built around …
Mentoring and more: support for new entrant farmers
Know someone taking their first steps into farming? We take a look at a growing wealth of schemes and resources providing support for new entrant farmers.
We need to completely close down industrial animal agriculture
Industrial agriculture is cruel to animals, cruel to people who work in it, it damages the environment and concentrates wealth in very few hands. I guess if you’re reading this, you know that already, and I don’t have to explain it. The problem is, it’s still there, doing its vile stuff every day. What do …
Trying to make a living on an organic smallholding: Paul Jennings, ‘One-Planet’ smallholder
This is part 2 of an interview with Paul Jennings, who has built his own straw-bale house and lives with his family on a smallholding in Carmarthenshire in Wales. They were able to build their house via the One Planet Development (OPD) policy in Wales. Here’s part 1 of the interview.
Our policy on keeping animals & eating meat
Our topics include vegetarianism and veganism, but also keeping animals (for meat, dairy, eggs, honey, wool, leather, work etc); and also fishing and hunting animals in the wild. Is this incongruous? As a sustainability / new economy organisation, should we be promoting only veganism, rather than the keeping and/or eating of animals?
How small farms offer big solutions as global issues turn focus to home
With just under three weeks left until the Ecological Land Cooperative 202 community share offer closes, Lauren Simpson shares an update on progress so far, complete with a new film.
One Planet Development and access to land: Paul Jennings, OPD smallholder and self-builder
This is the first part of an interview with Paul Jennings, who lives on a smallholding in Pembrokeshire with his family, and built his own straw-bale home under the One Planet Development policy that exists in Wales (but not in England), which allows people to build a home on their land, even if it is …
Small farms, big solutions: climate crisis prompts investment in future farming
There’s exciting news from the Ecological Land Cooperative as they launch a new community share offer, inviting you to make an investment in future farming.
Small farms, land co-ops and mutual credit: Chris Huskins of Fanfield Farm, Part 2
This is Part 2 of a conversation between Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org / the Open Credit Network and Chris Huskins, a smallholder tenant of the Ecological Land Co-operative, starting a veg box scheme in East Sussex, building his own home, and looking to trade via mutual credit.
Small farms, land co-ops and farm housing: Chris Huskins of Fanfield Farm
Today I’m talking with Chris Huskins of Fanfield Farm – an Ecological Land Co-op plot – who is going to build his own house on his smallholding. He’s also trading using mutual credit, via the Open Credit Network.
Meet the new young farmers raring to go thanks to the Ecological Land Cooperative
We meet the new faces of farming combining entrepreneurial zeal and ecological ethics, thanks to the work of the Ecological Land Cooperative. Lauren Simpson tells us more.
Get the Good Food March 2019 in the diary – pots and pans at the ready!
The Landworkers’ Alliance will be joining a host of partners to put farming, food and climate justice centre stage this October. Here’s how you can join them on the Good Food March 2019 in London.
You’re invited to the Ecological Land Cooperative AGM 2019
Taking place in Arlington, East Sussex, on 29th June 2019, the Ecological Land Cooperative AGM 2019 is your chance to learn more about their important work – and check out their brand new barn! Lauren Simpson tells us more.
Fancy joining the Pentiddy Woods family on an immersive 9 month internship?
Here’s your chance! We hear from Ele and Anthony at Pentiddy Woods about a unique learning opportunity on offer from October 2019.
Be part of a living, working countryside: apply for a small farm lease with the Ecological Land Cooperative
We hear from the Ecological Land Cooperative about exciting opportunities ahead for aspiring ecological farmers to apply for a small farm lease.
How to make a windbreak: the best trees and shrubs to use
We learn about the best trees and shrubs to use to make a windbreak for your garden or smallholding with Nick Mann of Habitat Aid.
Want to be a Planning Manager with the Ecological Land Cooperative?
The Ecological Land Cooperative is looking for a part-time Planning Manager, with an application deadline of 15 April 2019.
A guide to WWOOFing: 10 top tips from Scarlett Penn of WWOOF UK
Anybody considering going on a WWOOFing adventure for the first time will benefit enormously from these 10 tips compiled by Scarlett Penn of WWOOF UK.