Can we truly say we are building something for future generations if we don’t even own the land it’s built upon?
This might feel like a harsh question, but it’s one we need to ask ourselves. There is no long-term food security or impact on rented land. Without ownership, the future of any farm, forest, or regenerative project hangs in uncertainty, no matter how much care, time, and effort has been poured into it.
Martin Crawford’s Forest Garden: A Stark Reminder
A couple of weeks ago, I was deeply saddened to hear that Martin Crawford, a pioneer in agroforestry, has been served an eviction notice. For over 31 years, he has carefully cultivated one of the most renowned examples of a forest garden in the UK, a place that has become a beacon of biodiversity, sustainability, and food security. And now, he’s being forced to leave it behind.
Martin’s work has proven that food forests can restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and produce nutrient-dense food while working in harmony with nature. He has inspired countless individuals around the world—including us at My Little Farm. He has shared his wisdom with our team, provided us with plants and seeds, and guided us in developing our own forest garden.
Yet despite everything he has built, Martin does not own the land. And because of this, his entire legacy is now at risk of being erased.
The Illusion of Food Security on Rented Land
We know many farmers who work tirelessly on rented land, producing incredible food and regenerating the soil, but always carrying the weight of uncertainty. Some have been forced to leave when their leases expired, and others live with the constant stress of not knowing if they will still have access to their fields next year.
Rented land can provide short-term abundance, but there is no long-term food security or lasting impact without ownership.
Even if you feel confident in your food security because you support a local farm, do you know who owns the land that farm is on? If the land is sold or reclaimed, everything that farm provides to the community could disappear overnight. We need to start asking these questions and having this conversation. Because if we want a truly resilient food system, the people who farm our land, and the communities that benefit from it, need to have ownership and control over that land.
Why Land Ownership Is at the Heart of My Little Farm
This is why land ownership is at the core of everything we do at My Little Farm. We believe in creating real security for future generations. Not just in words, but in action. That means reclaiming land, stewarding it regeneratively, and ensuring that it remains in the hands of those who will protect it.
We know that land ownership is out of reach for many people, which is why we’ve developed a unique co-ownership model. Together, we are building a movement of people who are coming together to reclaim the land and protect it for future generations. Through our model, the land is not just owned—it is safeguarded by an asset lock that ensures it will only ever be used for regenerative farming. This means it can never be sold off to the highest bidder or lost to destructive industrial agriculture. It is land security for food security.
It’s Time to Reclaim Our Land
I hope the case of Martin Crawford will be a wake-up call for many. If we want to secure our food systems and ensure the land we farm today is still there for future generations, we must move towards models that prioritise ownership and long-term stewardship. The time to act is now.
If you believe in a food system that is resilient, regenerative, and truly built to last, join us.
Comments (1)
It’s heartbreaking to read how Martin has been denied his little garden.
Many have obviously suffered a similar fate but when these bad hurdles come our way they will always be followed by bigger and better news.
SoMartin will have a lot to look forward to as my mom always said to me. When one door closes another brighter one will open.