Who We Are

Supporting agroecological, small-scale, community-focused food production in Aotearoa

Village

Noun - A small community or gathering of settled humans.

Agrarian

Adjective - relating to cultivated land or the cultivation of land.
Noun - a person who advocates a redistribution of landed property.

Grounded in the sense of the noun agrarian and the community sentiment of a village, Village Agrarians are a community of passionate advocates for equitable land access. In the sense of the adjective agrarian, we have a specific focus on the agroecological use of land for food production.

As a grassroots network we aim to provide support to new and existing ecological, regenerative, and organic growers, producers and farmers in Aotearoa New Zealand, and build community and food resilience along the way.

There is a growing awareness that our modern industrial food system is both ecologically destructive and functionally fragile. Many people are seeking ways to feel connected to their food producers and environment, and to support practices that nurture and restore ecosystems and communities.

We recognise that there are significant barriers for small-scale and community-focussed growers, producers and farmers to overcome in both rural and urban environments in Aotearoa to be able to produce food. Our mission is to provide resources, advocacy and training to link arms with our food producers as we surpass and challenge barriers to land access, affordable training in agroecological methods, accessing mentorship and community, and providing food to their communities.

In doing so, we hope to build local food resilience by improving food access and food sovereignty for our communities. We hope to encourage diversification of the use of our landscape, to revitalise rural communities and to support land access for future growers. Ultimately, this will lead to stronger connections between people and their landscapes and their growers - together we reverse the ecological degradation that we see on our lands.

A resource network for connected and thriving communities

We are growing a community of organic growers, farmers, food processors, food activists, seed keepers, natural crafts people, and community gardeners in Aotearoa. Working together, we aim to grow local, ecological and equitable food systems that nurture and repair our lands.

Open Source

We believe in open-source systems and co-operative communities - we are happy to share our systems and knowledge. Get in touch with us!

A registered charitable trust

Village Agrarians Charitable Trust is supported by a board of trustees alongside subject-matter experts, artists, writers, researchers, activists and growers.
Charities Number CC59219.