Info, news & debate
Plants
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.
The Mushroom Guide Part 4: preparing fruiting substrate for shiitake mushrooms
In Part 4 of The Mushroom Guide with Benedict Noel, learn how to create your own bags of fruiting substrate for shiitake mushrooms, using sawdust, bran and a pressure cooker.
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.
The Mushroom Guide Part 3: harvesting shiitake mushroom blocks
In Part 3 of The Mushroom Guide, Benedict Noel enjoys the fruits of his labour harvesting shiitake mushroom blocks, as he continues his step-by-step tutorial.
The Mushroom Guide Part 2: fruiting shiitake mushroom blocks
We learn how to fruit shiitake mushroom blocks with Benedict Noel of The Mushroom Guide. It’s possible to grow shiitake mushrooms with very little equipment. If you’re a novice, this is the best place to start.
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.
The Mushroom Guide Part 1: why grow shiitake mushrooms?
No garden? No problem! In the first of a new series from the Mushroom Guide, Benedict Noel considers why shiitake mushrooms make a great starting point for anyone new to mushroom growing, particularly in an urban environment.
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.
Life on Birchwood Croft: tales of smallholding in the Scottish Highlands
Lesley Anderson learns about the ups and downs of life for crofters Beth and Tim Rose in the Scottish Highlands.
Chagfood community market garden apprenticeships on offer in 2019
Could 2019 be the year you learn how to set up and run a community market garden? Chagfood, a CSA scheme based in Chagford, Devon, is offering two apprenticeship opportunities from April to October.
How to gather, store and eat sweet chestnuts
It’s that time of year when the delicious smell of roasting chestnuts fills the air. Jessie Watson Brown shares her tips for foraging, cooking and storing sweet chestnuts for year-round use.
How can permaculture contribute to building a new economy? Conversation with Andy Goldring of the Permaculture Association
We’re going to be publishing a range of videos of interviews with key people involved in building the new economy – an economy that is democratic, non-extractive and sustainable.
Why my farm is not a “permaculture farm” with Marit Parker of Just Wild – Garw Teg
Farmer and permaculture practitioner Marit Parker of Just Wild-Garw Teg shares why she chose not to label her farm in Wales as a “permaculture farm”.
Seeking future farmers for East Sussex: apply to be a smallholder with the Ecological Land Cooperative
The Ecological Land Cooperative opens smallholder applications for future farmers at their East Sussex site, continuing the work of generating ecological farming opportunities and rural enterprise. We hear from Lauren Simpson about how you can apply for this unique opportunity.
Permaculture pigs: integrating pigs into a permaculture design
Firstly I should state there is no such thing as a permaculture pig, but rather pigs woven in to a permaculture design. Firstly we have to look carefully at every element we are planning on putting in to our design.
CSA Network UK AGM and inspiring photography exhibition – all in a day!
If you’re in London on 16th October, don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate community supported agriculture at the CSA Network UK AGM and be inspired by the Feed the World photography exhibition.
Want better food for all? The Good Food Good Farming march is for you.
The Landworkers’ Alliance are joining with others to call for an Agriculture Bill that provides access to healthy sustainable food for all. Join them on Sunday 14 October as they head to Westminster for the Good Food Good Farming March.
A woodland classroom for north London – help OrganicLea make it happen!
OrganicLea are planning a woodland classroom but need your help to make it happen. Craig Bayne tells us more about how you can get involved with this fantastic opportunity to create more space for nature-based learning and food growing skills in north east London.