This post aims to outline an evolving vision for a truly regenerative community and land hub in our bioregion. This is part of the wider We Are Avon mission, and the eco-centre will act as a base to ground this work and to make a tangible place-based difference. We are still seeking a suitable land site in the area for this with appropriate scale, access and potential. In the meantime we aim to model parts of this vision on smaller plots and build up the experiences, relationships and co-design processes, to move towards the wider bioregional vision and impactful action at landscape scale. Â
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The vision
Avon eco-centre will be a regional hub for regenerative farming, living and learning. Forming a regenerative community, ecological retreat and bioregional learning hub as a base to root and catalyse the solutions of our time. The big picture vision is to regenerate land at scale on a 100+ acre site, and create a model ecological farm and community of practice. This will involve a range of uses: training, visitor centre, eco-village, eco-retreat & sanctuary, a Food Hub, farm to fork community restaurant and stacked regenerative enterprises operating towards shared goals. This is a long term, ambitious, holistic vision for a thriving community of practice and a regenerative ‘biotope,’ a socio-ecological niche where solutions, skills and connection can ripple out from in our Avon bioregion. This will form a core part of the wider We Are Avon movement and be a physical base for the wider landscape scale regeneration in our valley, also serving as a producer co-operative and food hub to distribute natural foods via regenerative supply webs, cargo bike and electric vehicle deliveries across Avon (including to schools, food banks and hospitals). Ideally situated adjacent to the river Avon, this land site will play its part in river action and practical restoration whilst restoring relationship to place and water.
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Aims
1.    LAND Regenerate land at scale through modelling restoration agriculture for the UK on at least 100 acres. Using methods such as agroforestry, syntropic agriculture and perennial natural farming to develop an abundant haven for people and nature to thrive and meet basic needs. This will include producing organic fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains for over 800 people, feeding into the Food Hub and its producer co-operative for regional supply webs, delivering across the Avon bioregion.
2.    PEOPLECreating a model ‘eco-village’ and truly regenerative community Modelling a way to live in harmony with the land and each other. Not as a socially disengaged spiritual community, but as an active web of custodians caring for place and working towards a shared mission.
3.    TRAINING & INSPIRATION Inspire and empower many more people to engage with the solutions at our feet. Through the visitor centre, eco-retreat, and land-based events and workshops, we aim to reconnect people to land and weave a new identity (and skillset) of people as regenerators of place. Including the accredited training and mentorship of new land-based stewards and ecological farmers to continue this work into the future.
4.    SYSTEMIC TRANSFORMATION Catalysing the wider regenerative shifts in our region Act as a central hub and grounding force for wide landscape scale collaborations such as We Are Avon, through offering an inspiring co-working space and areas for regenerative sub-enterprises, artists and projects to use amidst a like-minded community with shared resources and facilities. Bring hope to thousands of people and activate a generation of ecological regenerators and stewards. Â
Potential sub-enterprises and project branches:
The various branches of Avon Eco-centre will likely operate as their own independent projects with the right people and skillsets to take them forward autonomously, but within a wider web of support and collaboration with other enterprises, to maximise circularity – such as the grain from a microbrewery feeding the laying hens, and the ‘waste’ compost from mushroom growing feeding the market garden microbes. Reviving a circular, connected economy at this ‘village’ level as a model for other regenerative communities and biotopes. Some examples are listed below, which will evolve, refine and shift as the vision unfolds and gathers people towards the shared aims.
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·     The Market Garden (s)
Supplying fresh vegetables for the food hub and farm-fork restaurant. Using ecological and soil health principles to produce abundant organic foods for the eco-centre and local community. Also a cut flower market garden, seed production and perennial vegetable growing spaces.
·     The fields
Staple food growing in agroforestry systems: field vegetables, regenerative grains , perennial foods and pulse growing in between rows of fruit trees. Supplying storage crops and year round staple crops to the Food Hub and regional food box scheme. Integrating a mixed rotation with regenerative grazing from the land’s ecosystem stewards (e.g. cattle and poultry for fertility, soil health and pest management).
·     Training Hub
A regenerative school for land-based learning and practical green skills, from forest school age to graduate level where the next generation can learn a new (and ancient) way of caring for land and community. Accredited training of new entrant food producers and land custodians, with short course and workshop options to inspire thousands of people each year. Inspiring learning spaces, studios and a woodland ampitheatre for education, events and ecological performance arts.
·     Inner regeneration centreÂ
Like an ‘eco-retreat centre’ but particularly focused on the harmony and alignment between regenerating ourselves and regenerating earth. A purpose-led retreat for collective and earth harmony, including active learning, foraging, nature-based therapy and inner rewilding. Cultivating a regenerative culture and inner balance in order to bring our gifts to the world more fully, healthily and joyfully. A range of retreat and nature-based therapeutic services including somatic work, movement practices, nature-led meditation, circles and connection spaces. Wild swimming and sauna club by the river/lake for workers and activist regeneration.
·     Regenerative community on the land (and water) Ecological dwellings for eco-centre staff and guest yurts, boats and cob roundhouses for visitors, seasonal workers, course attendees and a ‘pay what you can hostel’ for low income visitors and landworkers. Finding a balance between grounded community and throughflow of visitors. Keeping the core community ‘family acre plots’ as peaceful regenerative spaces distinct from the busy ongoings of the centre, to ensure long term harmony and continuance of the work.
·     Community Workshop and co-working spaces:
for a range of sub-enterprises, arts, crafts, woodworking, natural fibres. An inspiring and natural co-working space for the eco-centre staff and related projects, local community groups and charities to share space and inspiration.
·     Modelling resilience for the future The longer-term aim is to provide a model of a ‘regenerative biotope’, a place which demonstrates the beauty of ecological food production, regenerative community and restoration of land together. Whilst making a significant difference to regional food and water resilience, led by the people of this place. This mission goes hand in hand with We Are Avon, a broader bioregional vision, and once modelled the aim is to multiply and pollinate other bioregional groups across the UK for a broad movement of transformation, taking back governance, stewardship and basic needs provision into the hands of communities once again.
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To close with a practical invitation
We are seeking: land sites, funding, collaborators and supporters for this mission to work towards developing the vision further and then implementing the shared goals.
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Please email weareavon@outlook.com if you would like to be part of this in any way, or to feed in ideas and visions. And keep an ear to the ground for our We Are Avon crowdfunder launching on 21st March at Spring Equinox.

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