It’s now time to explore how wider ownership and the involvement of donors can bring new opportunities and secure Wakelyns’ long-term future. 50 people came to our first session on 27 September. The follow up is on 29 November. Click here if you’d like to get more information and join us in person or on-line.

Wakelyns has always been more than a farm; it is a story of practical hope and innovation in an era of climate change. That’s why it’s time to open our doors and see how collaborators such as you can help us write a new chapter. 

A Legacy of Innovation

Wakelyns is one of the oldest and most diverse agroforestry sites. With a vision of sustainable, resilient farming, my parents, Ann and Martin Wolfe, founded Wakelyns in 1992 and planted the first agroforestry tree lines in 1994. My brother Toby and I have carried their legacy forward since their deaths and since 2020, my wife Amanda and I have done our best to transform Wakelyns into a hub of agroforestry and community innovation.

Wakelyns now hosts seven “stacked enterprises,” including the Wakelyns Bakery, established by Henrietta Inman in 2021, and WakelynsVeg, which brings horticulture to the alleys with a focus on “short food chains” to maximise the productivity of our 23 hectares and provide fresh, delicious food. We have continued the organic rotation agroforestry and introduced hemp and sheep into the Wakelyns ecosystem.

Our efforts have enhanced biodiversity and habitats, as exemplified by creating new ponds and enjoying the thriving Turtle Doves. We have also increased carbon sequestration, expanded the number of people living and working here, and provided numerous learning and educational opportunities, all contributing to the well-being of our community.

Expanding Our Reach and Impact

Our collaborations with NGOs, universities, and other organisations have created exciting new research opportunities. Several PhD students and researchers use Wakelyns as a test site. Thanks to our close and long-standing collaboration with the Organic Research Centre, we are one of just 8 well-established agroforestry sites across Europe being studied as part the Horizon 2020 Agromix programme.

The Wakelyns Farmhouse and our Ley Alley Pods accommodate those attending our community events and courses, or those who simply want to relax and enjoy this beautiful environment. We also host NGO and strategy retreats for various organisations, including those involved in food, farming, and environmental policy.

In 2021, we initiated the Agroforestry Open Weekend, which now takes place each May across 50 agroforestry sites in the UK and beyond.

Last month, we welcomed Natural Habitat, a local NGO now based at Wakelyns, which will help us build local community links and expand our outreach efforts.

Looking Ahead: Your Role in the Future of Wakelyns

We are proud of what we have achieved together. In 2022, we were finalists in the BBC Food and Farming awards in the “Future the Farming” category. Encouraged by Dan Saladino of the BBC, we have applied for this year’s Food Innovation category. We have featured on BBC Countryfile, Radio 4’s On Your Farm, and just last week in the Waitrose weekly newlsetter. We have given presentations at many events including the Oxford Real Farming Conference, Groundswell and the Agroforestry Show. For a small farm, we think we are making a significant impact with global reach.

Now, we need to think about the next phase of Wakelyns. 

Due to a tax requirement in Ireland, Toby needs to realise the value of his share from March 2025. This presents an opportunity to explore new governance arrangements, including alternative, wider or community part ownership and new collaborations that can further strengthen and diversify our efforts.

This is why I am contacting you as part of this process. We want to involve a wide range of people in discussions on how to move forward, including funding strategies. Your insights, connections, and support are invaluable, and you may already be thinking about yourself, a contact, or a colleague who would love to know about this event.

Your Role

Our mailing list includes many people like you with valuable connections, skills, and resources. Your input is crucial whether you’re directly involved in impact investing, agroforestry, food production or environmental policy or have other interests when it comes to Wakelyns. All expertise and ideas are welcome.