A Suffolk agroforestry farm on the brink of transformation is rallying support from the local community. Wakelyns, near Fressingfield, needs £1.2 million to become a charitable community benefit society, securing its long-term future and innovation. This pioneering project, established in 1992 by Martin and Ann Wolfe, has been a 'living laboratory' for sustainable agriculture.
Founded on reducing pesticide, herbicide, and fertiliser reliance, Wakelyns was initially met with scepticism. However, the farm's unique approach – planting narrow alleys of farmed land between diverse trees – has since become government policy, aiming to convert 10% of UK farmland to agroforestry by 2050.
Today, Wakelyns stands as a testament to its success. Timber, apples, and other produce are sold on site, with the farm cultivating wheat, lentils, hemp, and diverse vegetables between tree rows. The pioneering commercial lentil grower in the UK – producing black lentils – offers a model for sustainable food production.
The farm's 'resilience through diversity' philosophy is built into its operations. It cultivates genetically diverse wheat populations and multiple apple varieties to ensure consistent yields, even when monocultural orchards struggle. Since David Wolfe and Amanda Illing took over in 2020, they have expanded the model to include ten micro-enterprises – from a bakery to an educational charity – all contributing to production and community engagement.
David Wolfe describes Wakelyns as a 'political project about land use', aiming to maximise sustainable productivity and wellbeing. This contrasts sharply with industrial farms in the region, which often lack biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and community interaction. Securing its charitable status is crucial for Wakelyns to continue inspiring sustainable farming practices, biodiversity, and community engagement.