“The Future Farms initiative in Powys sets out to address the gap between business-as-usual and the hard evidence that the food system must change, if we are to feed all the people well.” Professor Tim Lang
“Through public policy we have to design a system that has far more resilience. What we need is lots of local food production.” James Rebanks
“We urgently need more – not less – home-grown fruit and veg, or we face further disaster for supermarket shelves, our health, and the environment.” Guy Singh-Watson
“We are developing the skills to practice agroecological farming, but we are blocked from practising it. The price of land is prohibitive and this kind of farming needs homes for people living and working on the land.” Students and graduates of Black Mountains College, Powys
Our mission: to build 100 new agroecological farming enterprises in Powys, serving local and regional markets
The farming enterprises will come in a variety of forms.
NEW FARMING ENTERPRISES ON EXISTING FARMS
Many existing farmers would diversify into agroecological horticulture if there were secure markets. We are building these. We have just received our first order from Birmingham.
AFFORDABLE FARMS FOR NEW STARTERS
We need to open up over-priced land to enable a new generation of growers to start growing agroecologically. They need homes where they work. That means leasing land from Powys County Council (which has 10,500 acres of farmland) or buying land into community ownership.
We have built three new farms at Sarn in Powys
COMMUNITY FOOD GROWING PROJECTS
Some families cannot afford fresh food. Every community needs an affordable source of this food for families on low incomes.
Six actions to deliver the 100-farm mission
100 new agroecological farm enterprises in Powys is a modest number in relation to the need, but it is an enormous challenge because so many things are blocking change.
Acquire land and build new farms
We can build on land leased from public bodies in Powys. The Sarn farm pilot was built on land leased from Powys County Council for 95 years. The Council has 10,500 acres of farmland.
We can also purchase land into community ownership. A first project is in planning in Talgarth in the National Park. This will require the launch of a new community land ownership vehicle.
We are working with ClwydAlyn Housing Association, to build the farm homes within the Welsh social housing scheme.
Build access to new markets and new supply chains
There are three markets:
> local/community (food hubs)
> Powys schools (procurement)
> cities (Birmingham) - the first order from Birmingham for fresh food grown in Powys has just been secured.
We need to build cooperative marketing structures for our farms.
Develop planning policy to support food security and a new generation of farmers
We have already helped to design new 'homes for horticulture' planning guidelines in Powys and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. We are engaging with the development of Local Development Plans in Powys and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. We are advocating protection of farmland in national planning policy.
New planning guidelines in Powys
Develop skills and pathways into farming for a new generation of farmers
We are building a bridge from graduation from Black Mountains and other colleges to running farming businesses - work experience and apprenticeships.
Facilitate business support to farmers
Welsh Government funded business support for the farmers in our pilot project at Sarn was very good. We will scale this up in future.
Advocate for financial support for small agroecological farms serving local and regional markets
We are advocating for specific supports for local food growing for food security within the Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Photo by Richard SzwejkowskiThe Future Farms Partnership
Innovation Groups
The Future Farms Partnership operates through five innovation groups.
Land and Farms
Secure land into community ownership and make it available in perpetuity for agroecological food growing for local and regional markets. Build small farms and community growing projects on the land, with a target of 100.
Group terms of reference
Policy and Planning
Develop a policy advocacy strategy at the Powys level and at the Welsh Government level.
Group terms of reference
Access to Markets
Build access to secure markets in order to support the expansion of fresh food farming in Powys.
Group terms of reference
Skills & business support
Supply expanding fresh food farming enterprises in Powys with the skilled workforce they need. Build business support for new farming enterprises.
Group terms of reference
Community growing
Working with communities, develop food growing programmes that serve low-income families.
Group terms of referenceThe small print
Partnership Agreement, February 2026
Mission, tasks, operations.
Link
Environmental Action Plan
Actions to reduce environmental impact, increase nature-positive outcomes, and ensure responsible resource use.
Link
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across all aspects of the Partnership's work.
Link
Welsh Language Policy
Commitment to ensuring that the Welsh language is treated no less favourably than English in the design, delivery, and communication of all project activities.
LinkThink pieces
We write about new thoughts and ideas here, as part of the creative process.
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Growing more food in Powys for local and regional markets: policy briefing for Powys County Councillors, by Future Farms Partnership
Open letter from Black Mountain College students and alumni to public authorities – ‘let us farm!’
They key to food systems change is a regional approach, concludes an international food roundtable
Making food security action happen in Powys
Future Farms Partnership raises its game: 100 farms
Our three big challenges
