Community Farm
A space for growing together
We are developing a regenerative community farm where people can grow food, restore the land, and learn together.
The farm is inspired and named after the idea of Meliora - the belief that the world can be made better through human effort, care, & collaboration.
Over the last year, Michael & Bella have moved with their family onto the land at Furnace Brook to nurture this emerging project into a thriving community farm: a place where people can come together to grow nourishing food while regenerating soil, biodiversity, & connection.
We’re preparing to launch Meliora Community Farm in October 2026, and inviting people to help shape it from the beginning.
Building it together
The most important part of a community farm is the community itself.
As we work towards the launch, we’re hosting monthly volunteering days where people can meet, learn, contribute ideas, & help shape the future of the farm.
This is an emergent process: the farm is taking shape through collaboration, experimentation & the collective vision of everyone who gets involved.
Whether you have years of growing experience, are curious to learn, or simply want to spend time contributing to something meaningful, there is a place for you here.
Ideas taking root
These are some of the elements currently emerging within the project:
Silvopasture agroforestry - integrating trees, pasture & livestock to support biodiversity & long-term resilience
Adaptive mob grazing - working with goats to manage vegetation & improve soil health
Soil-first growing - building fertility through compost, biochar & regenerative land practices
Vegetable market garden - producing diverse, nutrient-dense food for the local community
These are starting points rather than fixed plans. The farm will continue evolving in response to the land, the needs of the community, & what we learn together along the way.
For inspiration, you can explore the wider vision design for Furnace Brook Ecosystem Restoration Community, including the emerging community farm.
Current projects & trials
Home Ed Veg Patch with We Grow
We’re collaborating with We Grow to create a dedicated vegetable growing space for home educated children & their families, offering hands-on learning about food, soil, ecology & seasonal growing.
Early Infrastructure Development
Over the coming months, we’ll be developing the foundational infrastructure needed to support the farm, including fencing, water systems, composting areas, & access paths.
Mob Grazing Goat Trial
We’re currently trialling adaptive mob grazing with goats as ecological partners - helping manage thistles, suppress invasive species, prepare areas for planting, & enrich the soil.
Chicken Tractor Trial
We’re also experimenting with a movable chicken tractor system, allowing chickens to improve different patches of land while providing eggs, fertility, & valuable learning.
Get involved
We aim to host a series of co-creation sessions with neighbours, growers & experts to shape a farm plan that truly reflects the community - supporting both people & planet.
If you feel drawn to be part of this & wish to contribute your skills or ideas, we would love to hear from you.
You can reach us at: Bella@furnacebrook.co.uk
Looking ahead
As the farm develops, we envision it becoming an important part of the wider Furnace Brook living laboratory - a place where regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, food resilience, & community connection can grow together.
Longer-term ideas being explored across the wider Furnace Brook community include beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, a farm school, artist studios, a community kitchen & café, and wellness spaces such as a sauna.
Some of these ideas may grow into lasting projects. Others may evolve into something entirely unexpected. The farm is intended as a space for experimentation, adaptation, learning, & collective care.
Meliora reminds us that better is always possible when people work together.
We’d love for you to be part of the journey.