Learning more about food consumption and cultivation
We hope the resources provided here give you a hunger to learn more about where it is your food is coming from, and to choose and live more consciously. However if you want to learn more hands on we have a friendly knowledgeable team here at The Fold that enjoy sharing our skills and talking with those that are keen to develop their own.
Organic farming – Soil Association
The Fold Market Garden is certified organic by the Soil Association. If you want to make sure that the food that you eat or the products you buy are organic certified then look out for the Soil Association logo. They regularly inspect and test the conditions of the land and animals to ensure that they are keeping to the correct standards.
For more information visit https://soilassociation.org
Organic farming has many benefits beyond the common understanding of being higher quality produce. These include:
- The highest standards of animal welfare – Just because a product describes itself as ‘free range’ doesn’t mean it has to keep to as high a standard as you would expect but organic farming does.
- No routine use of antibiotics.
- Produces food with higher nutritional value.
- Fertiliser and pesticide use kept to an absolute minimum, with emphasis on composting and natural control methods.
- Lower energy consumption.
- Better for wildlife.
- Fights climate change by trapping temperature-raising carbon in soil, keeping it from contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Community Supported Agriculture
https://communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and consumers in which the responsibilities, risks and rewards of farming are shared.
The aim of the initiative is to provide farmers with a more stable and secure income, and connect them with their local community. In return the community benefits from eating fresh, healthy and local food, feeling more connecting with the land and learning new skills.
The Fold Community Farm is run as a CSA. Find out more and sign up by visiting our veg box page.
Permaculture
https://www.permaculture.org.uk
The word ‘permaculture’ comes originally from ‘permanent agriculture‘ and ‘permanent culture‘ – it is about living lightly on the planet, and making sure that we can sustain human activities for many generations to come, in harmony with nature.
Although it does have basis in land and agriculture it is about a holistic wider approach to living and can be applied to every aspect of one’s life. It has three ethics at its core: earth care, people care, and fair shares. Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature. It encourages a connected approach.
Biodynamic Agriculture
Biodynamic farming is the ‘Green’ forerunner to organic farming, having been founded in 1924 by philosopher Rudolf Steiner. The main difference between biodynamic and organic is that biodynamic farming takes a more holistic approach and includes both metaphysical and spiritual roots.
The focus is not on maximum production, but instead on maximising health and vitality, balancing the needs of growing and farming with the needs of nature. In biodynamic farming agriculture is a sacred endeavour, and the foundation for all our well-being.
The Fold Community Farm
Learn more about The Fold Community Farm and join our CSA!
Learn More Through Volunteering
Find out more about the volunteering schemes we run at The Fold and how you can get involved.