Fantastic case studies from Devon & beyond

Lots more case studies are on the Soil Association's website here.

Abundance - Sheffield, North England

Abundance is a project to harvest the seasonal glut of local fruit like apples, pear and plums that would otherwise go unused. A team of volunteers have been helping harvest city fruit and redistributing the surplus to the community on a non-profit basis - to community cafes, nurseries, Sure starts and individuals. Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh are now following suit. To read their handbook click here. To visit their website click here.

Embercombe - Haldon Hill, nr Exeter

Embercombe is a charity and social enterprise based on 50 acres near Exeter.  They champion a way of living that celebrates the opportunities inherent in this challenging time and that inspires people to contribute towards the emergence of a socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritually fulfilling human presence on earth. They offer programmes for adults, youth, teachers and schools. more...

Grow@Jigsaw, Bideford, Devon

"A growing space for individuals to develop skills and take control of their lives through horticulture." more...

Growing our Future - Okehampton, West Devon

Growing our Future is an artist-led community garden project based primarily at Okehampton College in West Devon.  It aims to involve people of all ages in finding solutions to the environmental challenges we are faced with – climate change, pollution, waste, food security and peak oil.  more...

Harvest - Exeter, Mid Devon

Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI) is a charity that develops and runs community projects in order to improve the lives of people living in and around Exeter. ECI is developing a city-wide food growing project called Harvest that will encourage people to engage in food-growing activities in their local community. more...

Kingsbridge Community Garden - South Hams, Devon

The Kingsbridge Community Garden has been running for over 15 years and is an excellent example of a beautiful and sustainable community garden. more...

Magdalen Project - near Chard, Somerset

This 132 acre site on the Dorset/Somerset border provides the basis for a wide range of courses, workshops and eco-adventures, encouraging both children and adults to learn new skills, enjoy new experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the countryside and a more sustainable approach to life. more...

Occombe Farm - Torbay, Devon

Occombe Farm is run by the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust - a unique local conservation charity dedicated to looking after the wildlife and heritage of Torbay. The overall aim of Occombe Farm is to reconnect people with food, farming and the countryside and to have a profound effect on the local food culture of South Devon. As well as a Farm Shop, Butchers, Bakery, Cafe, Education Centre and Nature Trail, it also has a large community garden. more...

Stroudco Foodhub - Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Stroudco Foodhub was established in 2008. It is a new approach to local food distribution involving both producers and consumers working together. It aims to provide producers with a market to sell into at above wholesale prices and to provide consumers with local food at below supermarket prices. To read about the scheme, click here. To visit their website, click here.

Velwell Orchard, South Hams, Devon

Velwell Orchard is found down twisty country lanes near Totnes, South Devon. Established in 1993, the two acre bio-dynamic holding produces fruit, veg and salad crops for sale through local shops and a box scheme.  The gardens, orchard and polytunnels are tended entirely by hand thanks to a group of regular volunteers who work in return for sunshine, fresh air and seasonal veg. more...