Community Roots
Grow More Growers is a place-based community that emerged in 2024 in Buckinghamshire and East Oxfordshire with a shared passion to work together and support one another to cultivate a local, resilient, agroecological food system, supporting commercial food growers and enhancing community food security and sovereignty.
In 2025 an opportunity to deliver impact with other partners emerged and we were successful in a funding application. In 2026, we’re launching an innovative Demonstration Pilot that will test and document a viable route into farming for new entrants — a template for scaling local food production and environmental protection.
Grow More Growers Demonstration Pilot
A New Blueprint for British Farming
Collaboration
Led through a partnership between Real Farming Trust, Bucksum, Bath University, Basic Income for Farmers, Autonomy Institute and wyrd futures. The project is being developed carefully and locally, with growers, landholders, and partners.
Funders
The pilot has been generously supported by the Rothschild Foundation and Samworth Foundation.
We’d welcome further funding to deliver even greater impact.
Interested in backing a documentary about the pilot?
Get in touch.
Vision
A thriving demonstration pilot that empowers new entrant growers with access of up to 3 acres of land, agroecological training, infrastructure, a peer-to-peer support network, a start-up grant and a Basic Income — strengthening local food systems, improving food security, and shaping national policy towards an inclusive, climate-resilient future.
Process
We held the application process for landholders in late 2025 and are now in the process of shortlisting those who applied. We are now focused on finding growers who want to be part of a pilot project.
Growers
Interested in taking part?
The Opportunity
We are inviting applications from people who are seriously exploring commercial food growing, and who want to do that work in a supported, community-led context.
The pilot will support a small number of new-entrant growers to establish small-scale vegetable enterprises in Buckinghamshire and East Oxfordshire, using nature-friendly approaches and local routes to market.
We’re now inviting people to apply to register to participate - applications are open from 12th January to Friday 6th February 19:00.
Not everyone who applies will be selected, and applying does not commit you to anything. There will be a careful matching process and clear review points to make sure the opportunity is right for everyone involved.
Grower Applications are OPEN from 12 Jan - 6 Feb 2026 |
What participation will include
Growers who take part in the pilot can expect community, resources and support designed to reduce early-stage risk and isolation for new entrant growers.
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Access to land suitable for commercial vegetable growing
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A regular, stable income during the pilot period
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Shared tools, infrastructure, and practical support
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Training and peer learning with other growers
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Time and space to build skills, confidence, and a viable enterprise
We’re looking for participants that:
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Will commit to the full 3 years of the pilot.
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Want to build a viable veg enterprise in the area the project is based in.
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Have either 0–10 years in horticulture or 0–5 years running their own market-garden enterprise.
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Are passionate and curious about learning more about agroecological growing.
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Will participate in research activities
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Are open to helping share the findings of the project.
Further information for growers
Grower Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
See a full list of questions and answers.
The Grower Participant Guide
Information including timelines, eligibility and application process
Applicant engagement and support
Register your interest using this form:
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Bucksum visit (Sat 31 Jan 11:30 - 13:00 or Wed 4 Feb 11:30 - 13:00)
Farm walk to see the market garden and farm shop in action, a short activity with time for questions and networking.
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Growers Webinar
This webinar was held on Tuesday 20 January, 7:00–8:00pm, and included a Q&A and a walkthrough of the application process.
Please view the recording here and the presentation here.
Landholders
Applications for landholders took place in late 2025 and we now have a shortlist of landholders who we are working with for the demonstration pilot. If you didn't apply last year but are interested in providing land please get in touch and we can add you to a reserve list or connect you with one of our partners.
Upcoming workshop: Growing 2040
Join us to imagine a thriving food system in Bucks and Oxon on Thursday 16 April 2026
We’re hosting Growing 2040: Imagining a Thriving Food System, a one-day workshop for everyone shaping food and farming across Bucks and Oxon, from growers and landholders to buyers, funders, public health, policy and local residents.
We’ll share a meal, hear a few sharp perspectives, and step into 2040, using imagination as a practical tool to explore what a thriving food system could feel like and what it will take to build it.
Sign up to the newsletter for updates when it’s announced.
Get in Touch
Reach out to us for any enquiries or collaborations.
We'd love to hear from you.
Please complete this form or email