Based on the outskirts of Bath, Middle Ground Growers C.I.C. have a thriving 16-acre farm providing fresh organic food to over 200 households by E-Bike through their veg box scheme. The farm uses a cyclical and regenerative approach to farming, combining their market garden and orchards with a wildlife haven, wetlands, and wildflower meadow.
Their Pollinate Avon project, funded in 2023, builds on this to increase pollinator habitats and nature-friendly farming across the Avon region. Their project has three key elements:
To develop a ‘pollinator-abundant farm’ on the Weston Spring Farm, featuring a flourishing native wildflower meadow, a semi-wetland, a no-dig pollinator garden, a willow coppice, and flower strips interspersed within agroforestry crop rows.
Engage diverse communities with pollinator-friendly farming practices and provide access to natural spaces. This includes opening public access to the wildflower meadow, with a scenic nature trail winding through the farm, complete with signage and artwork to inspire visitors about the role of pollinators and other insects.
Expand and replicate this model at different scales to help landowners, communities, and farmers implement similar initiatives. The Middle Ground Growers team are working with other landowners, market gardens, and farms to grow this effort, offering free support and flower seeds to kickstart their own pollinator projects. If you would like to collaborate on this project, contact the team at pollinateavon@gmail.com.
