Cover story
Middle Ground Growers
Four young farmers from Bath are enjoying the fruits of their labour having successfully run a crowdfunding campaign to raise £ 95,000 to build an ecological farm for Bath .
GOING FOR GROWTH
Middle Ground Growers ( MGG ) is a Community Interest Company set up to grow food for local residents . The group of friends began growing vegetables together on a small leased market garden in Bathampton through the first lockdown , supplying 70 families each week with fresh produce delivered by bike to their doors .
To upscale their impact and supply food to over 400 families , Hamish Evans 24 , Xavier Hamon 39 , Livi Rhodes 31 , and Sam Elmore 29 pooled together their life savings to purchase 16-acres of land on the outskirts of Bath , Weston Spring Farm at a cost of around £ 200,000 . However , to realise their dream , the costs didn ’ t stop there . They needed to raise an additional £ 95,000 to build a barn , fund machinery , plant the market garden and restore the land by creating a wetland , wildflower meadow and native woodland .
MGG launched their crowdfunding campaign at the same time as the Climate Change Conference ( COP26 ) began in Glasgow . MGG Co-Founder , Hamish Evans shares MGG ' s journey so far and plans for the future .
The core MGG team met in 2019 as neighbours living on canal boats . I moved onto my own independent canal boat at age 16 and from this time I ’ ve been passionate about sustainability , community , and nature . I had various projects and ideas evolving and it wasn ’ t until I met others with similar values and an aligned vision that it really took off . In 2019 we were all working at different organic farms and projects around Somerset , and all seeking to pursue this livelihood and eventually buy land to begin a pioneering project for ecological farming . This magically manifested two years later .
After working together on a small leased market garden ( Bathampton site ) during lockdown we found an ideal plot of land to upscale in Weston village . Our passion for growing food for community and our existing enterprise from the twoacre market garden gave us the drive to take the leap , buy the land collectively and set about planning for an ecological farm for Bath . By this point we had an established veg box company Middle Ground Growers with 70 veg boxes being grown and delivered around Bath by bike each week and supplying four restaurants and shops .
Launching our crowdfunding campaign at the same time as the COP26 linked to the converging contexts of climateecological emergency , the health pandemic and social disconnect from the land . This combination of complex issues all points towards positive grassroots action . Growing healthy food in an ecological way and reconnecting to the land in our bioregion resonated with a lot of people , and I think that ’ s one of the reasons we were successful in hitting and smashing our target raising over £ 100,000 .
I think we also demonstrated that our plans are not about short-term impact . We are thinking long-term to build a resilient food system which will feed at least seven generations to come and we ’ re hoping to leave the land in a better state than we found it .
Before starting the campaign , we had established strong roots in the Bath community through our market garden work and veg boxes , growing networks of support and synergy with other groups and growers . We also built up a strong social media following and have been active in local campaigns , environmentalism , and community projects .
Thanks to our supporters we are now in the creation and implementation phase . Starting the year with a budget to build our dream was pretty incredible and the wide-ranging support has been heart-warming , encouraging and inspiring . In January we planted the entire orchard and agroforestry system , integrating trees , perennial berry bushes , wildflowers and crops in a symbiotic design . We ’ ve also started planting the market garden using the no-till method which ensures minimum disruption to the soil .
Our main goals for 2022 are prioritising the healthy and thriving establishment of Weston Spring Farm , ensuring all the trees and crops this year get off to a great start , feeding over 120 local homes and eight wholesale outlets . We want to develop solid social and ecological foundations for a longterm project that really benefits Bath and hopefully provides a model for others too . We aim to build on our successful apprenticeship scheme and train more growers whilst
supporting our trainees from last year to set up their new farm projects - watch this space for Lilliput and Bathfeaston Market Gardens .
This year we want to build our wholesale business . We currently supply to Harvest Wholefoods , Oak Restaurant , Landrace Bakery and Restaurant and Scoop Wholefoods . We are seeking more outlets to champion our produce and be part of this local food movement . Please get in touch if your business , shop , or restaurant would like to work with us . We would also love to expand our supply to include schools , cafes , and office kitchens . We would like to seek funding to coordinate this effort across B & NES with plans to set up a producer ’ s cooperative which links up local food growers with a simple ordering system and e-bike delivery across the city . This might also evolve into the creation of more community restaurants and co-operative shops opening and championing local , ethical , and regenerative food which will ultimately increase the health of individuals , communities , and ecosystems in this region .
We also have exciting new opportunities to join our veg box family . With more size options , better value , collection hubs and home delivery , we can provide your fresh food needs . Our boxes are organically grown , plastic free , delivered by bike and part of building local community . Sign up and more information is available via our website or by calling : 0770 800 6001 .
For more info : www . middlegroundgrowers . com
Middle Ground Growers are sharing their story at The Business Exchange Charity Conference & Expo in Partnership with B & NES 3SG on Thursday 19th May . To find out more turn to page 41 .
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2022 9