Machinery Ring

Social Farms & Gardens is working with small-scale growers in Carmarthenshire on a ‘library’ of machinery to help production, biodiversity and soil health.

With the help of a network of local growers, Social Farms & Gardens has been exploring the most appropriate tools, equipment and machinery that would help them increase the production of vegetables that are particularly key to the public sector (schools and care homes). Social Farms & Gardens is also working with experts from Lantra and Sustainable Farming Consultancy, as well as learning from generations of expertise from the wider farming community.

You can access the machinery ring here.

One of the barriers to increasing fruit and veg production, while also regenerating our soils, is having the correct machinery and equipment. As part of this project, Social Farms & Gardens has purchased a range of items that will increase small-scale growers’ capacity, such as two-wheel tractors with a broad range of attachments. Bringing in learning from Benthyg and other lending libraries, Social Farms & Gardens are co-developing a mechanism that will allow the machinery to be shared equitably and accessibly.

It’s hoped that this small pilot will catalyst a shift in edible horticulture across Carmarthenshire, and south west Wales, with more growers and farmers diversifying into fruit and veg production to meet a growing demand for local, nutritious produce.

This project sits alongside the Food Systems Development Project in Carmarthenshire and the work of Bwyd Sir Gâr Food. 

The machinery ring is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Carmarthenshire County Council.

For more information about the equipment sharing project, please contact Steve Morris or  Alison Sheffield at Social Farms & Gardens.