A food resilience project has put out “a call for community growing in the Dyfi Biosphere”, offering funding and support to those interested in getting involved with the project.

The Tyfu Dyfi project is hoping to get more people, individuals, schools, farmers, organisations, and communities, involved in growing plants for food, recreation, well-being and wildlife.

As part of the project, Tyfu Dyfi will be offering funding and support from experts.

“With the growing season getting closer by the day”, the team are currently urging anybody interested in being involved in the project to submit an application.

They are looking for community growing sites around towns and villages, field scale trials with farmers or smallholders who want to experiment with new food crops, community led agricultural enterprises, as well as ideas for tree planting with an emphasis on native or fruit and nut trees.

Arfon Hughes, Tyfu Dyfi communications officer, said: “This is a great opportunity to apply for funding and support for growing plants in your neighbourhood, which can have a positive influence on the community in many ways.

“Especially now after the pandemic it would be a way to lift spirits and health and encourage social interaction as well as increase local food growing and have an influence nature.”

The project is a Dyfi Biosphere response to the need for greater food security and measures to address the climate and biodiversity crises.

The core of the project is an agroecological vision of the future – a more vibrant and diverse rural economy, where sustainable food production relies upon biodiversity and helps mitigate the effects of climate change.

Expression of Interest application forms have just been published on the website www.dyfibiosphere.wales/tyfudyfi.

The website also includes details and the team suggest that anyone interested apply as soon as possible, “even if it’s only an idea”.

You can discuss these prior to applying by phoning 01654 703965 or emailing [email protected]u.

Dyfi Biosphere status was given to the area, which includes Dinas Mawddwy, Llanbrynmair, Machynlleth, Corris, Talybont, Aberdyfi, to Aberystwyth and Borth, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2009.

Tyfu Dyfi – food, nature and wellbeing is a two year Enabling Natural Resources and Wellbeing (ENRaW) project, funded through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

The Tyfu Dyfi project, which is a partnership between ecodyfi, Mach Maethlon, Garden Organic, Aber Food Surplus, Aberystwyth University, Penparcau Community Forum, and the Centre for Alternative Technology, has received almost £700,000 through the Welsh Government programme.

The programme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. The Tyfu Dyfi project will run until 30 June 2023.