The idea
Treflach Community Growing Hub champions organic practices, sustainability, and social inclusion. Located on a small family-run farm, it connects with the community through educational and therapeutic gardening and land management activities, addressing social exclusion, and promoting exercise and access to healthy food.
Established in 2021 with a permaculture approach, the garden lies at the heart of the hub. Treflach Farm Community Interest Company (CIC) bridges between the farm and the community, whilst supporting long-term farm diversification.
The project is led by a dedicated and experienced team and focused on soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable food production. The hub aims to become a replicable model that fosters connections between people, food, and nature.
Plans include building a low-impact roundhouse, biochar production for climate and soil benefits, a rainwater catchment system, a polytunnel for year-round growing, and spaces for group work and activities.
What we'll deliver
- Design and build a low impact roundhouse as a project hub
- Erect and establish a polytunnel for plant propagation
- Design and install a water harvesting and delivery system
- Design an install a thermal mass stove and heating system in roundhouse
- Convert an existing garden into a community goriwng hub
Why it's a great idea
1. Community Engagement: The project fosters community inclusion by encouraging local people to volunteer, learn, and socialize in a welcoming environment, addressing loneliness often associated with rural living.
2. Horticulture Therapy & Training: Offering horticulture therapy and training, provides therapeutic benefits and practical skills to participants, improving well-being and employability.
3. Connection Between Producers and Consumers: The project strengthens the relationship between food producers and consumers, offering opportunities for local people to become involved in food production on a small scale.
4. Access to High-Quality, Affordable Food: The garden will produce nutritious food for participants and the wider community, providing access to high-quality produce in return for participation.
5. Soil Building & Environmental Impact: By conducting a long-term soil-building experiment, the project promotes a deeper understanding and interaction with nature.
Steps to get it done
- Develop a planting plan for 2025
- Plan and establish the polytunnel
- Design and build a roundhouse as a project hub
- Design and install a rainwater catchment system, and irragation network
- Offer introduction to permaculture design training to all volunteers
- Hold at least one public open day event profiling our work and future plans
- Run our Space hive Crowdfunder and hold supporting events to promote
This project aims to tackle global challenges such as the climate crisis, food security, and community resilience by creating a scalable model that can inspire other farms or communities. The project embraces permaculture, organic, and agroecology practices to support healthy soil, mitigate climate change, and protect wildlife and biodiversity.
These practices align with the farm's broader goals and connect to a network of like-minded projects, farms, and growers. The project will leverage these networks for fundraising, sharing outcomes, and building community hubs where skills can be developed and inspiration generated.
The ambition is to think globally and act locally, creating a lasting impact in key areas.
