Organic Farms

West Yorkshire Organic Group

Organic Farms Network

Farms for the 21st century

Organic farmers all over the country want to show people what is happening on their farms. School children, the public, farmers and other interest groups will be encouraged to visit a network of farms across Britain, which the Soil Association is working to create.

The first one in West Yorkshire is:

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm,
Leeds

Meanwod Valley Urban Farm is a community project which maintains a green wedge within the urban environment. It works to protect local wildlife, providing an environmental education, training, and leisure resource. It was the first city farm to have a certified organic horticultural unit, in 1987.

Using organic methods in the market garden helps protect the environment, conserve natural habitats and sustain the soil. Flowers are also grown, which not only look beautiful, but also fulfil a key organic role. For example, marigolds attract hover flies, whose larvae feed on aphids.

The new EpiCentre

was declared open, at a gathering for the sponsors, on 15th September 1999, by Michael Meacher, Minister for the Environment.

It was opened to the public on10th October 1999 by Tommy Cannon of "Cannon and Ball"

This building is the showpiece of Meanwood's environmenal education programme. It exhibits exemplary environmental building design, incorporating such elements as a turf roof, composting toilets, energy efficient heating and reed bed drainage treatment.

Epicentre

In 2000, members of the public voted the EpiCentre the winner in the prestigious 14th City of Leeds "Peoples Award for Architecture".

The Centre was also awarded a commendation for sustainable design following from its turf roof, composting toilets, energy efficient heating, as well as a reed bed drainage system.

The timber used in the construction was from a sustainable source at nearby Tadcaster.

The 13 acre site provides a wonderful oasis of green in the centre of Leeds. As part of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, the farm works to conserve endangered breeds of farm animals.

Enjoy a walk round the trail and discover what animal the Whitefaced Woodland and Gloucester Old Spot are.

How to get there:

The farm is open everyday.

For organised visits, please make a booking first. There are two wheel chairs on site for visitor use.

Admission: adults 50p. Children 25p

By bus: Numbers 51, 52, and 53 take you to the site.

By train: Leeds Central station and then take a bus or taxi (about 2.5 miles)

By road: From Leeds city centre, head north towards Harrogate (A61). Look for signs to Meanwood and take Meanwood Road. Look out for signs to the farm and turn right on to Farm Hill and first right on to Sugarwell Road.

Shop and cafe

The farm shop is stocked with local produce, incuding seasonal vegatables, farm eggs, goats milk and souvenirs.

The Farmhouse Kitchen is open Tuesday to Sunday - serving delicious lunches and snacks, including vegetarian dishes.

map of position in Leeds

The Soil Association - Yorkshire Groups AGM was held in the Epicentre 1999 The project is funded by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Environmental Action and Esmee Fairburn Charitable Trust.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm,
Sugarwell Road,
Meanwod,
Leeds,
LS7 2QG.
Tel: 0113 2629 759.

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Organic Farms Network Farms for the 21st century
Organic farmers all over the country want to show people what is happening on their farms.		School children, the public, farmers and other interest groups will be encouraged to visit a network of farms across Britain, which the Soil Association is working to create.
The first one in West Yorkshire is: Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Leeds		Meanwod Valley Urban Farm is a community project which maintains a green wedge within the urban environment. It works to protect local wildlife, providing an environmental education, training, and leisure resource. It was the first city farm to have a certified organic horticultural unit, in 1987. Using organic methods in the market garden helps protect the environment, conserve natural habitats and sustain the soil. Flowers are also grown, which not only look beautiful, but also fulfil a key organic role. For example, marigolds attract hover flies, whose larvae feed on aphids.
The new EpiCentre was declared open, at a gathering for the sponsors, on 15th September 1999, by Michael Meacher, Minister for the Environment. It was opened to the public on10th October 1999 by Tommy Cannon of "Cannon and Ball" This building is the showpiece of Meanwood's environmenal education programme. It exhibits exemplary environmental building design, incorporating such elements as a turf roof, composting toilets, energy efficient heating and reed bed drainage treatment.		In 2000, members of the public voted the EpiCentre the winner in the prestigious 14th City of Leeds "Peoples Award for Architecture". The Centre was also awarded a commendation for sustainable design following from its turf roof, composting toilets, energy efficient heating, as well as a reed bed drainage system. The timber used in the construction was from a sustainable source at nearby Tadcaster. The 13 acre site provides a wonderful oasis of green in the centre of Leeds. As part of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, the farm works to conserve endangered breeds of farm animals. Enjoy a walk round the trail and discover what animal the Whitefaced Woodland and Gloucester Old Spot are.
How to get there: The farm is open everyday. For organised visits, please make a booking first. There are two wheel chairs on site for visitor use. Admission: adults 50p. Children 25p By bus: Numbers 51, 52, and 53 take you to the site. By train: Leeds Central station and then take a bus or taxi (about 2.5 miles) By road: From Leeds city centre, head north towards Harrogate (A61). Look for signs to Meanwood and take Meanwood Road. Look out for signs to the farm and turn right on to Farm Hill and first right on to Sugarwell Road.		Shop and cafe The farm shop is stocked with local produce, incuding seasonal vegatables, farm eggs, goats milk and souvenirs. The Farmhouse Kitchen is open Tuesday to Sunday - serving delicious lunches and snacks, including vegetarian dishes.

The Soil Association - Yorkshire Groups AGM was held in the Epicentre 1999		The project is funded by the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Environmental Action and Esmee Fairburn Charitable Trust.
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Sugarwell Road, Meanwod, Leeds, LS7 2QG. Tel: 0113 2629 759.
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