As part of our crop trials project we have been working with local farmers, offering advice, seed funding, links to local markets, and equipment to support horticulture production locally.
One farmer involved in the project is Menna Williams from Tal Y Wern who has been trialling winter brassicas on her dairy farm. She chose winter brassicas to fit the growing season around the busier periods on the dairy farm and fill a gap in production from other local growers. She has had great success growing cauliflowers, cabbages, chard, kale and purple sprouting brocolli, selling them through Mach Veg Box and the Fresh and Local stall at the Wednesday market in Machynlleth.
We supported Menna with the costs of buying in organic plug plants from Delflands, selecting a range of varieties to be available over the winter. We also supported Menna with a crop plan, and site visits to support with advice on pests and diseases and harvesting techniques. Menna hopes to upscale her efforts this year and has invested in machinery to help upscale.
The project has also been working with local markets such as Mach Veg Box, Fresh and Local and more to increase the market for locally grown fruit and vegetables. We are interested in developing a centralised hub for food produce to support farmers to supply the local market, and marketing to different communities in the area to increase the uptake of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables.
The project has also been working with local markets such as Mach Veg Box, Fresh and Local and more to increase the market for locally grown fruit and vegetables. We are interested in developing a centralised hub for food produce to support farmers to supply the local market, and marketing to different communities in the area to increase the uptake of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables.
With a new government in the Senedd we are also working to advocate for policy mechanisms that will support more farmers to take up fruit and vegetable growing on their farms through funding, land share systems and more through the Food Policy Alliance Cymru partnership. You can read their policy asks for the new government here
If you’re interested in finding out more about the support we can offer farmers who want to diversify into crop production or businesses who want to purchase local produce please get in touch with roz.corbett@landworkersalliance.org.uk