Where we have come from

Ragmans Lane Farm has been owned and run by Matt Dunwell for 18 years. During this period the farm has run beef cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens. We have grown 2 acres of veg sold through a box scheme in the mid to late nineties. There has been a strong experimental element to the farm including growing Comfrey for plant feed and root sales, producing charcoal using a home designed retort Kiln, and (at that time) cutting edge work growing mushrooms on logs. We were early local foodies, selling meat and veg direct into the Forest of Dean and Bristol in the Nineties. In 1997 Matt Dunwell co authored the first Local Food Directory.

A large part of our work over the last 18 years has been training. This takes place through courses that we have run since 1991 directly and using visiting teachers. We have also run an informal apprentice scheme having different volunteers to help with the box scheme and other aspects of the farm. At least two of these have set up their own box schemes. Lastly the staff that pass through the farm are offered training and given responsibility.

Ragmans is also one of the first sites in the country to demonstrate broadscale permaculture design. We have designed water catchment strategies, and soil management strategies, as well as planting up 3 acres of broadleaf trees, and 7 acres of orchard.

We are poised to make a step change in the way that Ragmans operates. Over the last year we have recruited Freya Davies, who has the strategic vision to develop the training and educational programme at Ragmans, as well as hold the overall balance of enterprise and education – an important mix and something that distinguishes Ragmans from other teaching venues. We plan to continue the apple juice and mushroom log enterprises, developing further lines within this product range. We have recently arranged a Regional distribution deal with Essential Trading that will compliment our local sales to Retail outlets in the Forest of Dean and Bristol.

Our course programme has expanded this year. Patrick Whitefield’s courses are proving very popular this year, he has the highest pre booking level ever, and interest in permaculture continues to grow. John Wilson is co teaching an Integrated Land Use Design course with Matt Dunwell in September. This will hopefully establish a new approach to permaculture relevant to community groups and Transition groups. Starhawk is returning to teach her Earth Activist Training course in the summer. In addition to this we have a new partnership with the established Low Impact Living Initiative (lowimpact.org) who are delivering two courses through Ragmans this year, with a view to developing more courses next year. We are also developing a regular Introduction to Permaculture course led by Sarah Pugh (sarah-pugh.co.uk) which acts as a gateway to our other courses.
The three enterprises that have become our bread and butter are making apple juice (25000-30000 bottles a year), producing Shiitake and Oyster Mushroom Logs (3000 a year), and training. We view the mix of enterprise and training, ie walking our talk as being essential to Ragmans.