Farmland

Regenerative Farming for a Better Future

With the first phase of regenerative agriculture projects coming onto the land this month, we are in the process of setting up a farming coop - Bowden Farm Collective.

This model emphasises multiple, interconnected enterprises operating under a shared land management framework, where each project contributes to the overall health and productivity of the farm ecosystem. The projects are all innovative, multifaceted and relevant to the future village and wider community.

We have around 35 acres of agricultural land in our care.

We believe that farming should be about holistically restoring and enhancing the natural fertility of the soil, which in turn boosts the health of the ecosystem and the well-being of the community.

We believe that our farm is not only a place to grow food sustainably but also to cultivate a sense of community through connections with the land that inspire discovery and learning.

We’ve sown the seeds of a farming collective. a coming together of multiple local growers who will be bringing their innovative regenerative farming projects to the land at Bowden Pillars. They all work with organic permaculture principles and deep respect for the rhythms of nature. Importantly they will also be working collaboratively supporting each other through sharing of resources, skills and time.

Prior to BPF buying the land…

Bowden Pillars was a conventional livestock farm where fertilizer and pesticide use would have depleted the soil microbiome.

When BPF bought the land, the Apricot Centre immediately got to work planting green manures on the agricultural fields allocated to farmland.  This has helped replenish the soil and bring diverse and abundant life back to the land. It means the land where these green manures were planted are now officially converted to being organic.

Bowden Farming Collective

A collaborative community of growers with a shared goal of providing a source of sustainable food and other wider wellbeing benefits and as a key component of the wider ecological recovery plan.  

We’ve sown the seeds of a farming collective.

A coming together of multiple local growers who will be bringing their innovative regenerative farming projects to the land at Bowden Pillars.

They all work with organic permaculture principles and deep respect for the rhythms of nature. Importantly they will also be working collaboratively supporting each other through sharing of resources, skills and time.

Interested to know more or join Farming Collective?

Get in touch

Phase 1 Projects

  • Edible Ecosystems CIC

    An edible ecosystem, education centre and edible plant nursery, linked to research, environmental education, and ecological food systems.

    Offerings:

    • Sale of rare edible plants and nursery stock  

    • Educational courses and media outreach  

    • Beautiful and abundant landscape showcasing agroecological systems  

  • Crop Breeding & Seed Research Project

    Developing low-input, climate-adapted crop  populations (tomatoes, potatoes, soy, grains) for seed  sharing and resilience.

    Offerings:

    • Seed sovereignty and open-pollinated local varieties 

    • Educational mentoring and volunteer opportunities 

    • Food output, collaborative grain processing 

  • Three Treasures Hydroponic Farm

    Off-grid hydroponic food production and education using low-tech, regenerative systems to grow nutrient-dense food with minimal inputs and high accessibility.

    Offerings:   

    • Year-round vegetable production  

    • Community workshops: bokashi, EMs, soap, mushroom & seed growing 

    • Seedling supply and collaboration with wider growing projects 

  • Bowden Tea and Wellness Project

    Create an agroforestry-based tea and wellness garden using Asian  crops, forest garden layers, and therapeutic space  

    Offerings:   

    • Unique crops: tea, Chinese vegetables, medicinal herbs 

    • Workshops, therapy sessions, and community events  

    • Collaboration with food, culture, and education projects

  • Einbender Educational Farm

    Create a multi-use agroecological site with cut flowers, food  production, composting systems, and an outdoor education centre  

    Offerings:  

    • Flower growing, heritage crops, compost innovation  

    • Education centre (“Life Lab”) for primary school students 

    • Allotments, land sharing, open collaboration  

  • Wild Flower Nursery

    Establish a native wildflower nursery with demonstration meadow and education hub in partnership with Devon Wildlife Trust.  

    Offerings:

    • Plug plants for BPF biodiversity and offsite habitat  restoration  

    • Training and volunteer opportunities in meadow ecology 

    • On-site seed saving and educational content  

Phase 2

As we progress to phase two we aim to continue to supporting a network of complementary enterprises while maintaining a cohesive regenerative land strategy.

In phase 2 we are also seeking funding to enable the Bowden Farm Collective to host land projects that work with marginalized groups such as asylum seekers and refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals and those with physical or cognitive disabilities.

Phase 3

This important phase will be for the establishment of the main market garden that will feed the village. It will begin when we are approximately a year out from the first residents moving onto the land. There is a hope that the main growers of this market garden will become village residents themselves.