Our Work

What we do:

- We directly support our members through practical advice, site visits, information resources, training opportunities and networking events.

- We represent the interests and views of our members to regional, national and international bodies, which helps raise the profile of the whole community farming and gardening movement.  

- We work in partnership with other organisations to create positive action on crucial issues. Partnership working also allows us to help members bring further benefits to their local communities.

 

Why we do it:

Quite simply, our work helps improve people’s lives. Community farming and gardening - in both urban and isolated rural areas - builds the capacity of local people to enrich and improve their own lives.

Many people assume that city farms and community gardens are simply nice places to visit where plants are grown and animals kept. But that is far from the whole picture.

Not only do these community projects create a patch of welcoming green space to visit, but also offer an amazing array of benefits and opportunities which can include education programmes, play schemes, healthy living initiatives, work and skills training, social enterprises, volunteer opportunities, environmental schemes, horticultural therapy groups, facilities for people with disabilities…the list goes on.

Who we work with:

We enjoy support from several Government departments, regional development organisations and local authorities. There is support from other voluntary sector organisations whose work intersects with ours, plus a variety of funding bodies. HRH The Prince of Wales is a key supporter and has been our patron since October 2001. 

We have a successful track record of working in partnerships, for example the School Farms Network, the Allotments Regeneration Initiative and SPAN (Sustainable Production in Active Neighbourhoods). We played a lead role in the consortium which brought the £50m Local Food Grants Programme to fruition.