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Food & Land systems regeneration 

"Uniting regenerative producers and farmers to give greater reach and impact in localised food systems, through a farm cluster, producer co-op and a regional Food Hub."


Phase 1
Develop & support Farm cluster groups covering the Avon catchment area to build learning, inspiration and funding networks for landscape scale restoration and resilient food systems.

Phase 2
 Avon Producers; unite farmers in the region through a Food Hub and localised supply models to support regenerative livelihoods and nature-friendly produce of place.

Phase 3
Avon Land Trust; through blended and community finance secure land parcels for long-term stewardship, cyclical farming and regeneration across the valley including a food and wildlife abundance corridor the length of River Avon. 
 


 


This is part of the UK farm clusters movement (now over 200 nationwide), creating regional groups of farmers who collaborate for on farm and landscape wide transformation. Together, farmers can share learnings, access greater support, restore landscapes at scale and produce quality food for our region. 


Through the new Avon Supercluster we are helping bring together 10 farm cluster groups with over 650 members covering 200,000+ acres in the bioregion. The Supercluster links these groups and supports landscape scale work (alongside collaborative mapping & funding) towards resilient and thriving farm communities across the entire catchment.  

Phase 1: Uniting and growing
Avon's Farm Cluster groups  

avon supercluster image .png
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Map outlines the Cotswolds section of the Growers & Producers farm cluster, and we are also open to growers in the wider region of Avon from previous supercluster map 

How a farm cluster works
 

  • as a part of the Avon Supercluster, We Are Avon is establishing its own farm cluster group - focused on Regenerative growers and producers in the bioregion and Cotswold National Landscape (funded by FIPL until 2026). 
     

  • Anyone is welcome to join, we welcome all farm types, sizes, backgrounds and land uses. The map boundaries acts as a guide for the initial region but are not fixed or exclusive.
     

  • We have an informal WhatsApp group and occasional email list that summarises upcoming events and opportunities. 
     

  • The group can apply for joint funds and individual farmers can apply for specific project funding e.g. for agroforestry or a pond. 
     

  • We meet for seasonal farm walks , workshops and events (provided free for members)
     

  • Get in touch to join (its free!) , contact  weareavon@outlook.com or follow the link below to register interest. 

  •  The Food Hub will link together farmers, growers and producers to give greater collective voice, livelihood security and stronger access to their recipient communities and food outlets. 
     

  • There are more local businesses, institutions and homes seeking to source food locally and ethically.  
     

  • There are similarly more local producers seeking produce outlets but without the resources, voice, marketing or wholesale quantities to sell and distribute these effectively.
     

  • We will work with project partners, producers and supporters to grow access to local regenerative food for all. 
     

  • A producer-led Food Hub for the Avon region joins these dots to give farmers greater accessibility to markets, and customers an easy way to procure affordable food and materials from regenerative local sources.

a thriving food hub and distribution cen

Phase 2: a regional Food Hub  

Phase 3:
Avon Land Trust

  • Following the successful models of the Ecological Land Co-operative and the Bristol Community Land Trust, we will work with growers and landholders to develop regenerative land-based enterprises. Building upon our current database of ‘Landless Growers’ and ‘Growerless Lands’ we will match up community needs with opportunities and redistribute land access. 
     

  • The Land Trust secures parcels of land through fundraising, membership and investment. The trust retains the freehold on each smallholding and offers affordable/free lifetime leases within parameters of ecological sustainability - in order to protect the land and livelihood for affordable agricultural and ecological use in perpetuity.
     

  • In addition, the trust works with Avon Landworkers to ensure supply of trained, committed landworkers who are equipped with the tools, support and necessary foundations to craft regenerative livelihoods nested in their communities. 
     

  • The medium term ambition is to secure and regenerate 800 acres of land by 2030. 

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