Northern Roots, Oldham, is a registered charity on 160 acres of what was Oldham Council-owned land. They are exploring progressive governance models to support land-based enterprises to operate on their site, the UK’s largest urban farm using regenerative techniques.
Announcing a new project in collaboration with the Pathways to Land team, who are looking for marginalised landseekers and farmers to work with them over the coming year.
Deadline to apply: Friday 16th January 2026.
Written by Jo Kamal and Nicola Scott from the Pathways to Land team
Pathways to Land is offering a year-long support package for marginalised new entrants and experienced farmers who are looking to access land for their farm businesses.
Our 2024 report highlighted the need for tailored programmes of support for racially marginalised landworkers, specifically in regards to financial literacy, peer mentoring, the planning system and collective land stewardship. Now, thanks to funding granted by Farming the Future, we are partnering with Landmatch England to deliver on some of the things we were told are crucial to increase land access for those most marginalised by the sector.
The GROWE (Grassroots Oldham Women Enterprise) orchard is a diverse and inclusive space operating on council-leased land that was previously disused. It began with a collaboration between SAWN (Support & Action Women’s Network – of mostly African diaspora women) and Northern Lily, an Oldham-based community horticulture CIC.
By acknowledging that 70% of land in England is owned by 1% of the population, and considering the deep and historic issues the agricultural sector has with inclusivity, we attempt to address the inequities in food and farming by increasing land access to farmers who most need it.
Our work in 2025-2026 will include supporting landworkers in the South West and North West of England through…
- facilitated online peer-networking and learning sessions
- training and knowledge exchange sessions in areas such as how to set up a farmers’ cooperative
- funded visits to relevant farms e.g. those which are collectively stewarded, or run by those marginalised in the sector
We will be paying for participants’ time and offering bespoke support to members of the cohort throughout the year. Participants in the programme will also receive support from Landmatch England in applying for their scheme.
This programme is specifically created for landworkers who identify as Black people or people of colour (BPOC), or who are economically disadvantaged or working class. We recognise the limitations and imperfections of language in defining complex identities, and we hope that these markers are clear enough for people to apply. Whilst we are unable to provide an expanded package of support for many other marginalised groups this year, we are very keen to expand our offerings in the future.
So if you are a farmer in the North West or South West England who thinks this programme is for them and needs support with accessing land, we would love to hear from you!
For more information and to receive this support, please click on this link. The deadline to register is the 12th February.