How did we get land?

January 12th 2024

Larissa Brown

We’ve partnered with Roots Allotment in Meadow Hill, Croydon, where we will be developing a 1-2 acre market garden. This innovative project aims to grow nutritious food, teach the local and wider community creative methods of growing and become a unique blueprint for food production of the future.

The Black Growth Directors with Ed Morrison, Co-Founder of Roots Allotments.

Our Story

Obie Campbell, a co-director of Black Growth CIC, was scrolling through social media one evening. A post caught her eye: it was from the Roots Allotment, highlighting that they were opening up another spot in South London. The post spoke of the systemic barriers Black farmers face—barriers to land access, recognition, and opportunities.

Obie, a dedicated advocate for community development and environmental justice, left a comment on the post which had begun as a small, spontaneous act, had ignited a transformative change. It served as a powerful reminder of how a single voice can spark significant action, paving the way for a more just and equitable world. The new farm was just the beginning—a symbol of what can be achieved when individuals come together with a shared vision of hope and progress.

Our small team and volunteers are currently helping to plan, raise investment, and prototype the site’s development. We hope to begin the first building steps this year, 2025.