FarmEco is a pioneering agroforestry farm in Nottinghamshire. Combining maturing agroforestry and silvopasture fields with a rapid-growth Miyawaki forest, our farm is designed to demonstrate sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture. Its labyrinth area and community garden which features an area of edible perennial vegetables in a demonstration food forest create further interesting habitats to explore. Registered as a community benefit society it is a unique example of community-led agriculture in the United Kingdom.
Agroforestry
Our agroforestry planting consists of two fields; One is a field which has six rows of fruit and nut trees in between which arable crops can be grown, in the strips in between the trees, or the land used for grazing sheep.
We have about 20 different heritage varieties of apples, giving us a long harvesting period and more resilience to weather variation. The trees create a wind break for the field, provide habitat for wildlife and increase the variety of food that we grow on the farm.
Silvopasture Edible woodland
The Edible woodland is an area of 16.8 acres which was planted with around 4500 trees in 2017-18 in a project sponsored by the Woodland Trust. It is a unique model which aims to deliver environmental, economic and social benefits. Edible Woodlands are a form of perennial food production which simultaneously enacts ecological restoration. An Edible Woodland planting has the benefits of:
- Soil improvement;
- Water regulation;
- Biodiversity enhancement;
- Pest control;
- Opportunities for on-farm engagement; and
- Production of a range of saleable crops.
There are 30 different species of trees and shrubs, most of which have edible parts. We have included apples, pears, plums, cherries, hazelnuts, walnuts. There are also more unusual species such as black mulberry, medlars, sea buckthorn, autumn olives, rowan and hawthorn cultivated species. As these tree mature and are starting to produce harvestable crops, we are experimenting with ways to process and sell them, to provide income for FarmEco.
The Stan and Nancy Memorial Garden
Our newest project, started in 2025, is setting up a community growing area around our polytunnel. We are creating an innovative perennial food market garden, a medicinal herb garden. The home education group is also busy with more conventional vegetable crops.
The garden is a showcase to act as a site for teaching people about delicious, nutritious and resilient plants which provide food year after year with little maintenance. This includes practical sessions on preparing and eating the food!
We have created an honesty shed so that the people of Screveton and surrounds are able to buy local, organic food on their doorstep.
The Labyrinth
The labyrinth creates a beautiful outdoor space for meetings, workshops, school visitors to use during the warmer months of the year. We erect a Bonga tent in its centre to keep off rain and provide shade.
There is a Miyawaki Forest planted at the edge of the labyrinth which showcases rapid tree growth in this planting style.