Environment

In Buckinghamshire, two thirds of the countryside is used for farming, even higher in Oxfordshire. Together with local farmers and environmental groups we want to deliver nature restoration at scale across our region.  We are supporting activities that accelerate nature friendly farming, restoring habitats and helping bio-diversity to thrive.  We want to do this hand and hand with producing food that nourishes our communities.

We support work that delivers on the following outcomes:

Outcome: Builds skills and knowledge in nature friendly farming

• Delivered through our strategic collaboration with local farmer clusters and environmental partners. If you are part of a farmer cluster in the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire area and would look to find out about our work please get in touch.

Outcome: Enables farmer-led research to build the evidence of the viability and benefits of nature friendly farming  practices

• On farm trials, farmer led research projects, outreach between research institutions and farmers, accessible and wide-reaching dissemination of research.

By bringing people together to cultivate fresh fruit and vegetables, we can create greater connection between nature, the environment and where our food comes from. We can increase access to fresh produce, and build more resilient, healthier and happier communities.

We support work that delivers on the following outcomes:

Access and Engagement with Community Growing

Outcome: Enables more opportunities for people to come together to grow food for community benefit

• Creating and maintaining shared gardens that focus on delivering community benefit, including improved health and wellbeing, and employability. 
• Transforming neglected public spaces into community growing opportunities.

Outcome: Broadens access to community growing through adaptations to facilities, education and outreach, particularly for underrepresented groups and young people  

• For example through physical adaptations such as raised beds and ramps. 
• Diversifying the community growing offer through practical workshops such as planting seeds, harvesting and education on the connection between growing food and environmental impacts.
• Community outreach supporting engagement with diverse audiences.

A Thriving Network for Community Growing 

Outcome: Builds organisations’ capacity to develop their community growing offer through skills and training, organisational development and physical infrastructure   

• For example, workshops and training on crop growing, composting, soil health, and other nature-friendly practices such as no-dig gardening. 
• Organisational development support in areas like safeguarding, volunteer engagement, and inclusive working practices. 
• Opportunities such as job-shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships to enable individuals gain hands-on experience and training in community growing. 
• And infrastructure development, supporting development of converted spaces.

Outcome: Collaborations and partnerships that enable greater access to locally grown produce, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities and young people    

• For example, locally grown produce is supplied to school cafeterias, community lunch groups and food access organisations.  
• Networking, communications, and shared resources that strengthen the community growing movement.