Oxford Real Farming Conference 2022 discussion with Steven Jones; Ian Steele; Stefanie Steele.

Treflach began to embrace permaculture as methodology for the 100-acre family run farm back in 2009. When long term steward Bob hit health problems, his son Ian, then working the other side of the world as an engineer, was challenged to either see the family farm sold off or to return home and save it. Dairy is a difficult industry, and economies of scale and the nature of the market had pushed farms to be bigger and bigger. More marginal holdings such as Treflach appeared to stand no chance of continuing in this climate.

This is the story of regenerative agriculture, but also of global partnerships for permaculture education, research into soil science and soil building, alongside converting a one-man farm with a shed full of tractors into a thriving community at the centre of a growing and developing local food market.

A vision which was mapped out back in 2010 on the first Treflach PDC delivered in partnership with Sector39, winners of the International Permaculture Prize for 2021.

#ORFC22
https://orfc.org.uk/