A farming blueprint for the future
A farming blueprint for the future
Author
Introduction
The UK is only 40% self-sufficient in fruit supply and less than 60% self-sufficient in vegetable supply, with many communities lacking access to affordable, healthy food. With increasing industrialisation of the UK food system and competition from international producers, UK farmers are having to compete with cheap imports and waste some produce to meet supermarket specifications, affecting their livelihoods. In addition, it has been well documented that this increasingly industrialised food system is contributing to climate change and biodiversity decline.
2021 Award
Helen Woodcock (CF 2010) is the co-founder of The Kindling Trust, which works to create a fairer food system for everyone. Earlier this year, it launched a community share campaign to buy a farm in the north-west of England and develop it into a farming blueprint for the future. Kindling Farm will put fairness and sustainability at its heart, supporting new entrant farmers, increasing access to organic vegetables and pioneering the most ecological farming methods.
Helen has been awarded one of our Activate grants to help establish this pioneering community-owned farm. She will use her funding to oversee the purchase process for the farm, co-ordinate the initial site developments, recruit a farm manager and induct them into the farm’s cropping plan, and finally to engage and support the local community and volunteers.
Kindling Farm will support a new generation of sustainable growers and engage a wide range of people in food. Learning new skills, building community and enjoying access to nature and good food will improve health and wellbeing, and build resilient communities. Helen’s ultimate aim is for this model to be rolled out across the country, to build a fairer and more sustainable food system for all.
Helen’s Fellowship to Austria and Spain explored ways to increase sustainable food access.
2021 Award
Helen Woodcock (CF 2010) is the co-founder of The Kindling Trust, which works to create a fairer food system for everyone. Earlier this year, it launched a community share campaign to buy a farm in the north-west of England and develop it into a farming blueprint for the future. Kindling Farm will put fairness and sustainability at its heart, supporting new entrant farmers, increasing access to organic vegetables and pioneering the most ecological farming methods.
Helen has been awarded one of our Activate grants to help establish this pioneering community-owned farm. She will use her funding to oversee the purchase process for the farm, co-ordinate the initial site developments, recruit a farm manager and induct them into the farm’s cropping plan, and finally to engage and support the local community and volunteers.
Kindling Farm will support a new generation of sustainable growers and engage a wide range of people in food. Learning new skills, building community and enjoying access to nature and good food will improve health and wellbeing, and build resilient communities. Helen’s ultimate aim is for this model to be rolled out across the country, to build a fairer and more sustainable food system for all.
Helen’s Fellowship to Austria and Spain explored ways to increase sustainable food access.