This listing is part of a demonstration pilot project. This means that there will be accompanying research activities involved.
Click here for more info on the research part (Notes to applicants).
Grow More Growers is seeking four new entrant growers to join an innovative demonstration pilot project. Each grower will receive:
– Up to three acres of land with monthly rent covered
– A basic income of ÂŁ1,000 per month
– Access to shared tools and training, and ongoing support for three years.
Participants will be matched with landholders in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (incl. Thame Catchment, River Ray, Central Chilterns clusters), and then supported to build viable enterprises, strengthen local food supply, and generate evidence to inform future policy and practice — including where this model works, and where it doesn’t.
The project combines on-the-ground farming with research and engagement in agricultural policy, showing what becomes possible when barriers for new growers are removed.
The vision of the project
The Grow More Growers Project strives to:
- Remove unnecessary barriers so participants can focus on growing and building their veg enterprise
- Support viable, small-scale commercial veg businesses rooted in local markets
- Farm with nature — prioritising soil health, biodiversity, and resilience
- Build strong, trusted relationships between landholders and growers
- Share learnings openly and produce evidence to improve routes into farming in the UK
Farm Facts
| Country | England |
| Region | Buckinghamshire |
| Farm size (ha) | 1.2 |
| Land types | Garden plots, ready to get established |
Opportunity Facts
| Enterprise | Market Garden, run with agroecological principles |
| Land available (ha) | Plots starting from 1 acre increasing to 3 acres over 3 years depending on site |
| Infrastructure available | Water connection, electricity |
| Farming principles | Agroecological, nature-friendly systems; no synthetic pesticides or fertilisers |
| Agreement type | Farm Business Tenancy (FBT), with set-up costs supported by the project |
What you can expect
- ÂŁ1,000/month basic income for three years, providing stability while the enterprise is being established
- Land access with rent covered by the project, reducing early financial pressure
- Shared tools and infrastructure, lowering upfront costs and risk
- Structured training and practical support in both growing and running a small commercial business
- A peer network and reflective learning space, with room for challenge, critique, and honest conversation
This is not about rushing people through — it’s about giving enough time and support to find out what’s viable for them.
Who we’re looking for
Need to haves
- Willingness and ability to commit to the full 3–3.5 year pilot (April 2026–March 2029)
- A genuine intention to build a commercial veg enterprise, not just a hobby project
- Some experience in food growing, plus curiosity and commitment to learning
- Openness to agroecological principles and working with nature
- Willingness to participate in learning, reflection, and research activities
Nice to haves
- Based in or connected to Buckinghamshire / Oxfordshire
- Experience gained through volunteering, community growing, or previous farming roles
- Interest in helping shape how future routes into farming are designed — through sharing learning, not hype
Could this be you?
Notes to Applicants
The project is being run as a demonstration pilot. This means that there will be accompanying research activities (1:1 interviews, focus groups, surveys) that aim to understand how effective the support and resources provided to participants are and how they could be improved. This evidence will be used to advocate for better support for new entrant farmers. Where there is willingness, this advocacy will be done in collaboration with participants to ensure it feels reflective of their experience.
Because the project is being run as a pilot we are inviting more people to apply than can be accommodated. This process will involve shortlisting eligible applications to 8 through random selection and then a matching process with local landholders that have offered their land to the participants of the project. The focus of the matching process will be a strong, promising relationship between grower and landholder.
As a pilot this is an exercise in delivering the project and assessing the positives and negatives. The small scale of the pilot means that it is not possible for everyone to participate and that this will involve disappointing some people. The secondary mission of the project is to deliver evidence based advocacy that aims to improve how we support new entrant growers. We hope this will lead to many more opportunities and would love to stay connected to anyone who aligns with the approach and mission of this project to deliver this advocacy.
Photos from some of the farms
Project Location
Participants will be matched with landholders in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (incl. Thame Catchment, River Ray, Central Chilterns clusters).