Landmatch England:
Connecting People and Land
Working to open doors, build partnerships, and support the next generation of farmers and growers
A Collaboration Built on Shared Values
We’re a collaborative project steered by four organisations, who have worked together to establish the Landmatch England service: the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Network UK, Shared Assets CIC, Tamar Grow Local CIC and the Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA).

Our partners already support new entrants with training, access to markets, community food-growing initiatives and opportunities for those who feel excluded from farming to take their place in shaping our food future.
They identified land matching as a missing link to support land access in England, with comparable services already established in Scotland and Wales.
Access to Land
Opening Up More Land for Food and Farming
 Connecting landowners and landseekers builds diversity and resilience, creating a route towards a thriving on-farm community. Landmatch England plays a role in supporting rural livelihoods and local food networks.
Bridging the Gap in England
While Scotland and Wales benefit from government-funded land matching services, landowners and landseekers in England do not have this service. Landmatch England is stepping in to bridge this gap, with the aim that soon, this vital support will also be funded here.
Read the Landworkers’ Alliance Briefing Paper explaining the case for a publicly funded land matching service here.
Growing Local Roots
Regional Pilot Projects
This year, we are accepting applications from people across England, as well as piloting a regional approach to additional support in the North West and South West. We utilise local networks and can offer support for in-person relationship building.
Bristol Food Producers and LESS (promoting sustainable living – Lancaster) work as our regional partners in the South West and North West to support and deliver this service at a local level.
A Personalised, Honest Approach
At the heart of our work is a personalised, transparent approach: we listen to the needs of landowners and landseekers and aim to create suitable, productive matches that can grow into long-term, trusted relationships.
Land Opportunities for All
Our vision is a more diverse and regenerative land-based sector with more opportunities for new entrants, support for those looking to scale up their enterprises, and a trusted space for landowners to share opportunities.
We work closely with Pathways to Land, which provides additional, bespoke support for marginalised landseekers. This programme is specifically created for landworkers who identify as Black people or people of colour (BPOC), or who are economically disadvantaged.
Championing Nature-Friendly Farming
Agroecological Futures
We support farming systems that work with nature, regenerate soil, protect water, foster biodiversity, and build climate resilience. We believe that land use must prioritise ecological balance and long-term health of the land.
Resources and Support Beyond the Match
Whether you’re an individual, community group, organisation or business, Landmatch England can guide you through the landmatching process.
Once a match is made, we signpost you to our substantial resource library and to professionals who can provide the right legal and business support, so every new partnership starts with confidence.
A Positive Future for Land-Based Businesses
Together, we’re creating a positive future for land-based food and farming businesses across England, one that works for people, communities, and the land itself.
The People Behind Landmatch England
Meet the Team
Learn more about our coordinator team, and the people who support us below
Rachael Forster
Central Co-ordinator Landmatch England
Rachael Forster works on a number of collaborative projects at Tamar Grow Local CIC including managing Mill Lane Acres, Tamar Grow Local’s Farmstart for new entrants into horticulture. Shel also co-designed Tamar Valley Food Hubs, an online farmers market working with over 60 local producers throughout the year. She has supported work on the New Entrant Support scheme which led to piloting a Landmatch project in the South West of England which has helped to shape Landmatch England.Â
Hannah Padgett
South West Co-ordinator Landmatch England
Having worked with communities for almost twenty years, Hannah Padgett has used collaborative design techniques, facilitation and creative engagement across a variety of fields including social marketing, public artworks, active travel and most recently, agroecological farming. Through her work with the Ecological Land Coop, Hannah became involved in the Landmatch England project and she is delighted to take up the role of South West Regional Coordinator to continue her connection to this important work. Â
Cordelia Hughes
North West Co-ordinator Landmatch England
Cordelia is a co-ordinator and facilitator working at the intersection of land justice, food, and farming. She has supported a wide range of projects, including farmer-facing events and scientific research on soils at the Soil Association; as a communications coordinator at Shared Assets; as well as in emergency food aid. With a strong interest in supporting people through thoughtful, well-designed processes; Cordelia is excited to draw on her experience to develop Landmatch England's service in the North West from her base in Kendal.
Ellen Pearce
LESS
Ellen coordinates local food economy projects for LESS and FoodFutures, including the set up of the Plot (market garden and CSA scheme) and FarmStart Training programme, Gather (the North Lancs Food Hub) and the purchase of a community farm in North Lancashire. She also coordinates the Northern Food and Farming Network which works to support agroecological transitions in the North of England.
LESS is a not for profit Community Interest Company based in Lancaster. LESS co-ordinates a wide range of environmental and community projects, including North Lancashire's FoodFutures, the district's award winning Sustainable Food Places partnership. LESS are hosting the North West Co-ordinator for Landmatch England.
Steph Wetherell
Bristol Food Producers
Steph has coordinated Bristol Food Producers for the last 9 years, supporting new entrants and established farmers in the region. She has previously worked for the Landworkers' Alliance, as well as working as a freelance writer focusing on writing about food, farming and the environment.
Bristol Food Producers is a network of growers, producers, businesses and supporters, working together to increase the amount of local food produced in and around Bristol. They work to support access to land, training, markets and building a stronger network within the region. Bristol Food Producers are hosting the South West Co-ordinator for Landmatch England.
Our Partners & Funders
Landmatch England has been developed in collaboration with a number of organisations committed to supporting the future of farming and sustainable land use. Our founding partners and funders include:
