Small scale horticulture alongside field scale horticulture can offer benefits to farm businesses, however after a surge in engagement in box schemes during the Covid-19 pandemic, this growth has not continued.
Through our involvement in the EU project RURALITIC (Rural Revival, A Life In The Inspirational Countryside), Innovation for Agriculture is facilitating a Community of Practice which will focus on building resilient horticultural supply chains in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.
This Community of Practice will welcome anyone with an interest in small scale horticulture production in the Fens or surrounding areas. Starting with discussion of the challenges and opportunities unique to the local area, participants in the group will benefit from knowledge sharing, collaboration and ongoing communication. The Community of Practice will explore:
- Logistics of local supply chains
- How to ensure small scale production is profitable for farmers
- How increasing small scale production alongside field scale horticulture can increase a farm’s resilience to climatic and economic shocks.
The focus of RURALITIC is how rural life has changed following the COVID-19 pandemic, and how agriculture can adapt to become more resilient to climate change. In addition to the Community of Practice discussed here, there will be three more groups focusing on different challenges and areas of the country.
Interested in getting involved? Email megand@i4agri.org to find out more.
