The Agroforestry Research Trust (ART) is a non-profit making charity which researches and educates about agroforestry and perennial crops. Located on the Dartington Estate in South Devon, is the 2.1 acre demonstration forest garden, established in 1994, comprising many different levels of trees, shrubs and ground covers – all coexisting and producing fruits, nuts and medicinal products.
A forest food garden is an agronomic system based on trees, shrubs and perennial plants mimic the structure mimic a natural forest. A resilient system, adaptable and resistant to extreme weather events, it is capable produces variety of food and materials such as fruits, nuts, edible leaves, spices, medicinal plant products, poles, fibres for tying, basketry materials, honey, fuelwood, fodder, mulches, game and sap products.
Offering a potential alternative to traditional one-flat-layer growing, this unique system produces crops but is also rich in biodiversity, is self-sustaining, resilient, conserves water and is a substantial carbon sink. Food forests can sequester more carbon than traditional forests due to their high plant diversity and density. Food forests also help to mitigate climate change by reducing the need for transportation and storage of food, as the food is grown and consumed locally. Potentially, they can also promote economic development by providing a source of income for farmers and small-scale producers. Urban locations – where the vast majority of people now live, workable green space and hence the ability to grow crops is severely limited – the concept of a forest gardens could provide a solution.
An exemplar of a food forest
The Dartington Forest Garden has become a landmark for agroforestry, and is often described as the best example of a food forest (or forest garden) in the temperate world. The forest garden has not only inspired and educated many from all over the world, but also hosted scientific research and spawned new forest garden inspired plantings at RHS Wisley and the creation of the National Trust forest garden on the Shugborough Estate.
In a recent press release, the ART explained that despite its value, the Dartington Hall Trust (DHT) has given them a year’s notice, ending the lease for the food forest located on the estate – putting the project at risk.
In a statement the DHT explained, that as a charity they are duty bound to maximise use of their resources, stating “We are obliged to ensure we fully realise the potential of the former Schumacher site and surrounding areas, and to carry out our due diligence and legal compliance as a charity. It is essential for us to explore all potential options for the future development and use of the area, ensuring it aligns with our charitable objectives and benefits the wider community.”
The AFT are currently appealing for public support to protest the DHT decision, with the aim of securing the long-term future of the forest garden. The AFT are asking the public to write to the DHT and/or to pursue an economic boycott. In support, the Sussex Forest Garden Society have also set up a petition on change.org.
The founder and Director of the ART, Martin Crawford, said: “We’ve put in decades of work to achieve this exemplar of a food forest system. This seems like a complete betrayal of trust by the DHT, who are only looking at money – they have given us no reasons but think they can get more money by flattening and building there or using it for something else instead of the rent we pay. Our charity and the DHT have had a long association with the understanding that ours is a long term land-based project which after 31 years still has a long way to go. For example, long term measurements of carbon storage in such systems are vitally important in climate change research. Throwing us off is not the same as giving a tenant in a building notice – they can easily move. This food forest is irreplaceable. It is literally priceless. What the DHT are doing is ecological vandalism.”
Statements of support for the ART are appearing online and social media, including many experts in the fields of permaculture, environment and education.
“This betrayal of trust by such a renowned establishment as the Dartington Hall Trust is devastating. The two highly successful Symposiums run by the Agroforestry Research Trust over the last 4 years demonstrated both the international interest and concern over food production and nutrition by young entrepreneurs and seasoned food forest growers. But the jewel in the crown, recognised by all concerned, is the Dartington site of 31 years and what can be learned from such an established habitat as it responds to changes in the climate. Such a resource and the practical wisdom that it generates and which is passed on to course attendees is very special and I urge trustees to see beyond the trees and let this living experiment continue in its present form.” – Dr John Parry MBE, Honorary Senior Lecturer Lecturer in Education, University of Sussex
“This is a garden of international importance that should be protected. Its inspired tens of thousands of people to practice edible forest gardening.” – Sid Hill, ecological gardener and designer.
“The extraordinary Martin Crawford of the @agroforestryresearchtrust has been given notice to leave the land on which their unique forest garden has been developing for 31 years. It is a space like no other, genuinely internationally significant, inspiring countless people, communities and organisations around the world. Please join me and many others in helping ensure this act of cultural and ecological vandalism isn’t allowed to stand, and encourage Dartington Trust not to renege on their agreement with ART.” – writer, gardener and cook Mark Diacono.
“To eradicate the Agroforestry Research Trust’s extraordinary forest garden, which has single-handedly inspired thousands of such gardens around the world, would be an act of cultural vandalism on a par with bulldozing the Lost Gardens of Heligan. In order to prop up its inept organisation, Dartington Hall Trust (DHT) has sold off buildings, land and artworks, has closed down much of what made its reputation in the first place, but to mess with this gem of agroecological ingenuity is absolutely a step too far, and demonstrates a profound lack of any real understanding about how remarkable and precious this garden is”, writes environmental activist and writer Rob Hoskins on West Country Voices.
There is little doubt that climate change is making it increasingly difficult to successfully grow crops. In addition, soil erosion, compaction, nutrient imbalance, pollution, acidification, water logging, loss of soil biodiversity and increasing salinity are adding to the challenges of traditional agricultural processes, impacting our ability to grow crops. Ongoing agricultural experiments, improvements and research, especially in terms of interaction with the changing climate are vital to global future food security. The model of a food forest may or may not be part of that future as an alternative to traditional agricultural methods, but there is little doubt that there is a great need and potential for further research, along with enhancing our knowledge of growing crops and plant interactions within multi-strata perennial agricultural systems. Losing 30 years worth of such a resource and its potential for the future, seems unfathomable.
The DHT have been contacted for comment.