Social Farms and Gardens, a UK-wide charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together, has launched Tyfu Powys, an exciting new project to help community gardens and growing projects across Powys to develop and grow.

The project aims to listen to the needs of community gardens in the county and help them develop their capacity, extend their outreach to the community, develop on-site infrastructure and more. The project also aims to set up a new Powys Community Growing Network, welcoming similar organisations and groups to share their knowledge, experience and skills together.

Tyfu Powys also hopes to provide opportunities for skills development, including Orchard Leader training, in collaboration with UK charity, The Orchard Project. It will also facilitate access to GIS mapping tools and guidance on using them for garden planning, alongside the Digital Commons Cooperative.

A highlight of the Tyfu Powys project will be community events such as Have a Grow 2024, in June. This is an opportunity for gardens to open their gates to the community, share locally grown food, welcome new volunteers and fundraise for their groups.

There is also small pot of money that community gardens can apply for, towards on-site infrastructure.

Jane Baker, Tyfu Powys Development Worker, said: “Gardens offer so many benefits to our communities, from health and wellbeing, to learning and education, as well as being places for planet friendly growing activities.

“Tyfu Powys aims to help build on the huge successes of so many special Community Gardens in Powys, so they can continue to flourish and grow for many years to come.”

Community Gardens can also benefit from becoming members of Social Farms and Gardens, for free.

Member benefits include discounts, webinars, and specialist advice, access to small grants for equipment and signposting to other support organisations.

To register your interest in Tyfu Powys: email [email protected]

Social Farms & Gardens is a UK-wide charity supporting communities to farm, garden and grow together.

Social Farms and Gardens aims to work collaboratively with local and UK organisations,signposting to other beneficial projects where relevant. To find out more visit: www.farmgarden.org.uk/your-area/wales

Tyfu Powys has received £203,610 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Powys County Council.