More about us
Mission Statement
The focus for the Centre for Sustainable Food is to explore, understand and promote sustainable and ecologically sound food systems.
This exploration aims to identify the interrelationships between the way that food is grown and the health of the planet and the health quality of the produce and the people eating the food.
Local and regenerative practical solutions are promoted as options to create global food security, to help reconnect people with land and food and to offer people the opportunity to understand the value of their food and make informed choices about what they eat.
Educational role:
- Inspiring with transition food models and ideas that offer practical solutions
- Communicating appropriate information to facilitate change
- Enabling through providing the skills and resources necessary to create the change.
Food is at the heart of the education work at the Centre for Sustainable Food and provides the medium for understanding sustainable design principles, however the holistic nature of the work encourages people to develop more general sustainable lifestyles. The growing solutions also have beneficial effects on other global challenges such as climate change and diminishing oil supplies.
The whole food story incorporates processes such as organics, ecology and ecosystem management, appreciation of the value of a symbiotic relationship with nature, human health, resource sustainability, natures cycles of energy and therapeutic land work. These ideas are integrated into a holistic healthy and well-balanced sustainable food model.
Why are we here?
The human race is facing massive challenges with global climate change accelerating very fast with the reality of massive disasters in the near future. The government now admits that emissions must reduce by 80%, however CAT suggests that only 100% is sufficient.
“As of mid-2008, world oil prices are at record levels, biofuel crops and climate change are putting pressure on food production worldwide, prices ofbasic food commodities are soaring and over a dozen countries have announced bans or restrictions on food exports. There is now a greater need than at any time in the last 60 years, for the UKto be self-reliant in food production and produce as much as possible near to centres of population with minimum fossil fuel use. Education and demonstration centres for sustainable, local food production are critically needed yet are almost entirely lacking in the UK.
Development of the centre described in Paul Benham’s visionary proposal, would be a giant stride to providing food security for the people of Wales and throughout the UK.”
Dr. Robert Morgan, MSc, PhD, Senior Lecturer, University of Glamorgan.
“I am delighted to offer support to the Centre for Sustainable Food. Nothing is more relevant to the uncertain times we face in the coming decades. This inspirational centre will compliment CAT’s established role in other areas of education for sustainable development, and we look forward to active collaboration.”
Peter Harper. Head of Research and Development at the Centre for Alternative Technology.
There are a few organic research and education centres, however although organics is a great step in the right direction the real sustainability of organics is confusing since it encompasses a very wide range of fossil fuel input systems. The Centre for Sustainable Food provides a unique potential for leading the research and education of sustainable food systems. The holistic approach of the centre’s work seeks solutions to future food security that also address the other major challenges of Peak Oil, Global Climate Change and health and well being.
What do we do?
We explore the way food is grown and food systems both locally and globally and offer ‘growing sustainable solutions’ that will help to create future global food security. We will take visitors on the whole journey of food from seed to plate and facilitate the appreciation of the real costs, in the form of energy, financial and health and well-being, of each process within the different food systems.
We demonstrate practical local solutions that can aid food security, benefit global climate change and help the perceived problem of diminishing oil supplies. These solutions can also help to regenerate communities and have the potential to improve health and inner and outer well-being.
Visitors are inspired by the design of the site that includes a range of demonstration gardens such as sensory, medicinal, peace, family and forest gardens. The tour has flowing paths that lead into secret garden areas. The present innovative sustainable buildings consist of the ecological toilet block, Celtic roundhouse, cob and other earth build structures, all of which are excellent examples of renewable low impact building technologies, largely constructed by course participants and volunteer groups.
“I have taken groups on a regular basis and everyone has learnt an enormous amount and been totally inspired”. Daphne Lambert; Green Cuisine.
We run day courses and in the future residential weekend courses on transition food production and sustainability. We host group visits from a very wide range of audiences from MSc groups, farmers days, WI and special needs etc. We host school visits that particularly raise awareness on sustainable design principles. We hold volunteer work camps and volunteer days and run Care Farming days for disadvantaged groups of people.
At present our infrastructure is inadequate for attaining financial viability and so the continuation of our invaluable work is very dependant on financial support and donations and volunteer assistance.
We are very grateful to past and present funders.
Environment Wales
Sustainable Development Fund, Brecon Beacons National Park
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
Lord Merthyr Fund
The Community Foundation in Wales
PAVO
New Opportunities Fund
Adfywio
WDA – Agri-Food Development Fund
Cobb Foundation
Ernest Cook Trust
The Stanley Bligh Memorial Fund
For donations etc. please click on ‘Opportunities’
Our Background
Primrose Earth Awareness Trust (PEAT) was created in 2000 as an education vehicle for promoting the messages of sustainable food production that are carried with the workings of the Primrose farm model and the inspirations of its owner Dr Paul Benham. 1.5 acres of the 6 acre farm was acquired by PEAT. It has been developed into a very inspiring site with an education tour that includes many demonstration gardens and a range of ecological and earth buildings.
Sowing the Seeds of Change
Since 2000 the Primrose Earth Awareness Trust (PEAT) has been a leading provider of sustainable education in the region, with programmes educating and encouraging visitors to leave a smaller ecological footprint and to respect our interrelationship with natural systems. Several thousand children from 45 schools have taken part in courses here as well as adults from varied backgrounds including MSc students, farmers and local community groups and organic growers from many different countries. Many primary schools have developed their own small productive gardens on site, engaging in all the processes from designing through preparing the soil, planting and harvesting the produce. Feedback has been universally excellent.
“We choose to visit PEAT because the quality of the work undertaken there is outstanding”. Patrick Whitefield, Director, Sustainable Land Use Course.
The hands-on experience provides invaluable life skills and also has great benefit for those with less confidence, less academically inclined, and for adults with a range of learning abilities. PEAT has also facilitated the creation of many gardens within schools. There is growing awareness that the statutory education system too often fails in the environmental education sector. Also with the massive changes that our children will be facing in response to global climate change, sustainable education and teaching life skills are a priority.
In 2007, there evolved a new necessity for future viability and a highly detailed feasibility study was performed on the merit of developing the Centre for Sustainable Food. This report demonstrated great need for this Centre and predicted viability within 3 years of construction.
Testimonials
“The Primrose Earth Awareness Trust is an extraordinary education centre that creates an awareness of our connections to the earth and to each other.” Daphne Lambert, Penrhos Court.
“It is the vision for learning, the inspirational approach and a great location combined with an enthusiastic regard for nature that will ensure the proposed development of the Centre for Sustainable Food.” Mick Bates, AM; Welsh Assembly Government.
“The Centre for Sustainable Food will demonstrate a viable holistic model for sustainable land use in the UK. It is the inspirational solution that communities will have to embrace in response to the impending effects of peak oil and global climate change.” Jon Dover, Policy Director, NCFI, 2007.
“The plans for the new Centre for Sustainable Food look impressive and you will certainly continue to have the full support of the Soil Association for the excellent work you are doing.” Peter Melchett, Policy Director of the Soil Association.
“The Primrose Model is the outcome of 20 years’ work blending permaculture and natural farming techniques in harmony with local environmental conditions. It is the most cutting edge sustainable farming system being used in the UK. The solution to the changes in food production that are urgently necessitated by peak oil and climate change - low embedded energy, low mechanisation, small scale and locally integrated.” Sustainable Development Advocate, Project Carrot.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and support your work in aiming to raise awareness of sustainable working practices.” Carwyn Jones, AC/AM Minister of Environment, Planning & Countryside, 2007.
“I really enjoyed all aspects of the course, location, group and style and have learnt so much about the garden and the environment; excellent work.” Participant of annual ‘How to Garden for Life’ course.
“Thank you very much for a wonderful visit-we all learned a lot and were very inspired with what you have done over the years.” Crickhowell Friends of the Earth Group.
“The Primrose Earth Awareness Trust is an ideal place for adults with learning difficulties with its inspiring, safe gardens and a very interesting range of creative activities.” Celf 0 Gwmpas Co-ordinator.
“This site (the Primrose Earth Awareness Trust) has proved to be the most flexible as regards providing a caring, safe working environment for individuals with a wide range of disabilities and personal problems.” Coordinator, Powys Sense Care Farm Pilot Project.
The Future
To create a national facility for sustainable land use, food production and educational excellence – open to everyone all year round – that is itself dynamic, sustainable and in harmony with the community the environment.
To be Europe’s foremost centre for education on sustainable food and farming.
“There is a clear need for an education and demonstration centre for sustainable food production and distribution. This new centre would place Wales in the forefront of sustainable development public education in the UK and throughout Europe.” Dr Robert Morgan. Phd Senior Lecturer. University of Glamorgan.
Priorities:
1) To create an extensive resource for Transition farming
2) To develop the ‘Feast of Learning’ education programme for a wide range of audiences
3) To develop phase 1 of the new facilities for the centre.
We are presently seeking resources to document the Primrose Transition Farming Model.
The Cutting Edge ‘Feast of Learning’ Programme
Food’ will provide the vehicle for education. The Centre will establish educational models for demonstrating the food journey from seed to plate within different production and distribution systems. Energy inputs in all processes and the interrelationship between the way we produce our food and the health of people and the planet will be shown. There will be strong messages to support the theory that ‘We Are What We Eat’. Thus healthy minds and healthy people can be encouraged through growing our food in more holistic and ecological systems. Through gaining an in-depth understanding of food systems, visitors will begin to also understand the principles of sustainable development. This programme will be at the forefront of sustainable education.
Food, Health and Cooking:
The Feast of Learning will deliver the message on food sustainability to diverse audiences at every level. Visiting education groups will be encouraged to prepare food on site for their own group and other visitors to the Centre. Back-to-basics cookery classes will be a new education element at the Centre. These classes can involve a wide range of audiences in our current climate – self-selected and groups such as Sure Start – where significant proportions of the population have little knowledge of methods of picking, preparing and cooking fresh produce.
Sustainable Food Production:
Present links with further education providers will be expanded to teach sustainable land use and low impact food production, as part of MSc study and other courses. The schools’ programme will be expanded to include residential courses. The present successful ‘How to Garden for Life’ course that incorporates all aspects of theory and design of organic and sustainable food production, will be expanded into weekend courses and other educational work. Transition farming, practical work following the agricultural model in place at Primrose Farm, will be at the heart of all courses and research work.
The principles and practices of Transition Farming will be made accessible via courses, website and published material. A formal research programme will be put in place and an accessible resource centre developed alongside day and residential courses. The Centre will also promote small sustainable people-powered farms and will lobby for support for low carbon footprint, high biodiversity, people-centred farms.
Training for Corporate responsibility:
A consultancy service will serve businesses and policymakers and encourage environmental good practice. The serious global need to reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage is opening a large market to train businesses to adopt greater corporate responsibility. Biomimicry and permaculture design principles will be incorporated into the design of sustainable businesses. People in mainstream business organisations often have the ability to make large scale changes, and new facilities at the Centre will be suitable for this clientele, as well as for individuals and educational institutions.
The Proposed New Centre
The Centre will house a conference space and a restaurant, with an office, reception, shop, gallery and tranquil space. The Eco Cabin will accommodate groups of twenty, including two staff members, with utility room, field kitchen including cobb oven, teaching/cooking demonstration spaces and areas for relaxation. The Centre will be primarily used in the term-time for education courses, visiting groups, conferences etc. In the holidays the Eco Cabin will be available for Eco-Tourism and the Centre will be open to the general public. Activities during holiday periods will comprise Family Days, Seasonal Days and ‘Meals combined with Guided Tours’.
Sustainable Building Principles
The buildings will demonstrate the best sustainable building technologies, capturing passive solar gain through large south facing glassed windows. Heat will store by thermal mass in the north-facing earth bank, a limecrete floor slab and rammed earth walls. In sunny weather this means that sun is absorbed during the day and then released from the thermal mass into the building when the temperature falls at night. Together with the passive solar, the tightly sealed building with excellent insulation will ensure minimal carbon input during operation. Any additional heat will be provided by simple efficient log burners. Passive cooling in the summer comes from high-level vents in hotter parts of the building coupled with low-level vents in the colder parts of the building to create natural venting using a stack effect. Green roofs will be planted, rainwater will be harvested and solar roof panels will provide heating for water.
In keeping with the aim of a ‘zero carbon rated building’, the Centre intends to erect a wind turbine to generate its own electricity. The Centre, accommodation and teaching facility will be built of natural, local and low embodied energy materials wherever possible. Natural materials also allow buildings to breathe more easily, creating healthy spaces. Recycled materials will also be prioritised, including the use of recycled tyres for insulation in the north facing earth bank wall. All building and decorating materials will be non-toxic to provide a healthy environment inside and out.
Phase 1
Phase one will develop the economic bedrock for the whole development in the form of a residential facility with teaching space. The inspiring, sustainably designed Ecocabin will be an ecologically sensitive building to accommodate groups of twenty, with teaching/cooking demonstration space, utility room, field kitchen including cobb oven, and areas for relaxation. A detailed Business Feasibility plan demonstrates a viable income- generating potential within 2 years of operation.
The Future in Your Hands
The new Centre and visitor accommodation will provide an exemplary, educational venue that will benefit the local and wider community and become a much-needed and highly attractive resource. However, in order for work to progress, the Centre needs resources. We are interested in forging links with partners as well as seeking direct financial assistance. The future must be self-financing and sustainable. With your help now, we can build that future together.
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