Author Archives: Cara Miles

Aldermoor farm does all it can to boost biodiversity and nurture the land. Permaculture principles are at our core; we do not use any chemical pesticides; we re-use, re-purpose and recycle all the we can; we harness the natural provision of the land to be sustainable, such as only using water from a natural spring on our site to water our farm using a water pump system; we enhance and maintain natural wildlife habitats such as our ponds; we use no dig techniques; we use composting systems (including a compost toilet!); and we keep and care for our chickens, geese and ducks (who help us a lot by snacking on slugs!). Every element of the farm is designed to work in harmony with nature. Key components of permaculture are earth care and people care. All our work on the farm is done by our dedicated volunteers and staff through the volunteer program, offering a welcoming community for all to join, where both people and land are nurtured and cared for. Volunteers have an opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, enjoy some of the fruit and veg they grow, and make connections with others.

This year's Harvest Festival was held on a beautiful bright day and was buzzing with action. On our pergola was the most beautiful spread of farm grown vegetables, showcasing the hard growing work of all our volunteers and farm team. If you've been to one of our event days before you'll know to expect some tasty culinary delights from Pam and this event was no exception. Pam was next to our harvest spread on the pergola, serving a spicy vegetarian chilli with nachos. Her exceptional cakes, as usual, were being served in our shop to enjoy with a coffee. We had entertainment and activities happening throughout the farm, including crafts in the poly tunnel, live music taking centre stage in the middle of the farm, an autumnal wreath being made by Hannah, who hosts our Christmas wreath-making workshops, and apple pressing at the top of the farm. There was something for everyone to enjoy! It was a great celebration and we were thrilled to have so many community members join us for the occasion.

We were delighted to have been donated a shed by one of our supporters. We decided that we would use it and transform it into a cosy insulated space that our therapeutic gardening groups can use. This has been something we have desperately needed as there is very little indoor space on the farm so our shelters can get very crowded in cold, wet weather when we have lots of activities happening on the farm! Rocc Ltd. and Belsize Charitable Trust No. 1 have kindly funded this project so that we can lay foundations, reinforce the roof and insulate the structure. We are also hoping to get it hooked up to electrics in the near future. It's projects such as this that show how much we can achieve alongside our wonderful community members, supporters and funders. Thank you everyone!

Why - We believe young people deserve the tools to understand themselves, build resilience, and thrive. By nurturing emotional awareness and wellbeing, we aim to equip them for life’s challenges today and in the future. How - Through guided gardening experiences, participants learn to recognize their emotional state and choose activities that support self‑regulation. Creative problem‑solving is woven into each session, encouraging good decision‑making, self‑management, and confidence. What - Young people gain hands‑on skills in horticulture and animal care while deepening their knowledge of the natural environment. These practical experiences not only connect them to nature but also foster wellbeing, preparing them for their next stage of life. Going into 2026, we are hosting sessions for a primary school, several secondary schools and a college. Gavin, our therapeutic gardening facilitator, has been creating new pathways around the farm and cleaning and rebuilding the duck pond with secondary school groups, sowing seeds, caring for the chickens and making bird feeders with our primary school group, and supporting all the young people to notice their surroundings, notice how they are feelings and select tasks that will support their wellbeing as well as help them achieve goals and skills.