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Vallis Veg is based around our eighteen-acre site in Vallis Vale on the outskirts of Frome, which husband-and-wife team Chris Smaje and Cordelia Rowlatt bought in 2003. Together with a group of dedicated local helpers Chris and Cordelia have been developing the site using the principles of permaculture design.
In the past six years we have:
- planted over seven acres of woodland – including long- and short-rotation coppice
- established fruit and nut orchards
- begun creating a rainwater irrigation system
- established small-scale livestock systems
- created a market garden site – the heart of Vallis Veg
Kane Brough and Gladys Paulus joined the team in 2008, and together we have established our new local vegetable box scheme through our sister business, Vallis Veg Boxes, which began delivering to customers in June 2008.
We set up Vallis Veg for two reasons. The first is that we love growing vegetables! The second is that we’re concerned about the environmental impact of conventional farming and retail systems, and we want to work towards a more sustainable and locally-based agriculture. We don’t use synthetic fertilisers or pesticides in our farming, and use very little fossil fuel. You can learn more about what we’re doing by looking at our environmental report or clicking on the menu to the left. If you still have a question or if you’d like to arrange a visit to the land, feel free to contact us.
We want our land as far as possible to be available for the use of the wider community in Frome. As well as our regular open days for customers, we have held a variety of events on the site: a Woodcraft Folk camp; tree-planting events for children and adults; a scything workshop; permaculture training events; the ‘Dig With Des’ gardening lessons with local gardener, Des Harris; and even on one occasion an eco-friendly wedding. Please contact us if you have an idea for an event that you’d like to discuss with us. |
