A small Welsh farm in Powys is harvesting significant volumes of courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and salad leaves, despite a difficult growing season that included heatwaves and drought across Wales and most of England. The site, part of the Wern farm project near Newtown, was uncultivated pasture 18 months ago.
Grower Tilly Gomersall, whose farm Cân y Pridd covers 4.9 hectares but currently cultivates half a hectare, is producing large volumes for the scale. Along with neighbours, she provides fresh fruit and vegetables to the local community via a veg box service and markets. Since late July, they have also been supplying Birmingham City Council, with produce going to holiday clubs for disadvantaged children.
The Wern farm project, launched by the charity Our Food Trust, aims to encourage young growers and increase domestic food production. The UK relies on imports for approximately 40% of its food, making it vulnerable to supply shocks. Powys County Council worked with Our Food Trust on the project, securing a 95-year lease and adapting planning guidance to allow growers to live on the land.
The charity also negotiated the contract with Birmingham City Council, which helps guarantee a buyer for some produce and ensures nutritious, sustainably grown food reaches deprived areas. Birmingham's food system team recognises the challenge of feeding 1.2 million people and the need to strengthen supply chains. About 1,000 children in summer holiday clubs received vegetables from Powys, which they could eat fresh or cook.