This week’s News from the Farm is written by Rachel Phillips, Director of the Apricot Centre in Devon.
Nestled in the South Hams countryside, the Apricot Centre at Huxhams Cross Farm spans 60 acres of fertile land dedicated to the principles of small, agroecological, local community farming. Here you will find fields of organic fruit and veg thriving alongside agroforestry and mob grazing livestock (short duration, high intensity grazing, which supports better soil & healthier cattle).
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to restoring robust ecosystems that start from the land and extend to the people. We employ nature-friendly farming practices, designed to enhance biodiversity and provide habitats for local wildlife, while also regenerating the soil. This holistic approach results in nutritious and delicious produce, that is supplied directly to local communities, fostering a powerful, reciprocal connection between the land, the farmer, and the customer. The farm’s “bish bosh bash” model prioritises short supply chains – effectively removing the supermarket middlemen, and allowing our customers to purchase fresh, local food without excess costs.
It’s not just about farming either. Our free programme of regenerative agriculture education also teaches others how they can farm in nature-friendly ways (apricotcentre.co.uk/education). Through hands-on experience, new entrant farmers learn the intricacies of developing and managing local food businesses, gaining the skills necessary to thrive in a changeable economy. This inclusivity enriches our food ecosystem, as knowledge is shared and collaborative networks form.
Other small-scale producers in our area include Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, livestock and dairy farmers, all of whom contribute to a rich agricultural landscape that amplifies our flourishing local food narrative.
We also see people as part of our ecosystem; here you will find local children and families, picking and cooking their meals – cultivating a connection to nature, food and community, that also supports health and wellbeing. This patchwork of small-scale farms exemplifies how mighty we can be in redefining our broken food systems – creating a future where the health of our land and its local people go hand in hand.
Our News from the Farm posts come from Riverford. They are the digital versions of the printed letters which go out to customers, every week via Riverford’s veg boxes. Alongside guest writers, Guy Singh-Watson’s weekly newsletters connect people to the farm with refreshingly honest accounts of the trials and tribulations of producing organic food, and the occasional rant about farming, ethical and business issues he feels strongly about.
0 Comments