Growing together for a better future
We’ve seen what commodity farming has done to harm the planet. Now we want to see what community farming can do to put things right. Pitch Up! connects holistically-minded farms with sustainable land-based businesses needing access to land/ space. They then share resources, knowledge and land to feed one another and grow together.
The vision
A successful and thriving circular UK farming community; replicating nature’s ‘closed loop’ system – with no waste that is not reused, no produce without a purpose, and every part of the ecosystem contributing to a greater whole.
But what, exactly?
Pitch Up! is our annual call-out for sustainable businesses to join our circular community – sharing resources, knowledge and land, to grow good ideas into successful businesses that feed into each other.
“It’s really important to us that Pitch Up! offers space for innovation and experimentation. We’re very happy working with people in the early and proof-of-concept stages of their business, as well as established enterprises looking for new opportunities to join a circular system. Seeing the progress Daisy and Dan at Monch have made – as well as their creative ideas and marketing savvy – makes us really excited about the next generation of land-based businesses.”
Nikki Amor, Kingsclere Estates
But how?
Our Partners are land-owning organic and regenerative farms of similar mindset, offering plentiful space, fertile soil, inspiring ethos and invaluable connections.
Our Pitchers are businesses at any stage – from the seed of an idea to a fully-grown enterprise – who can see an opportunity to innovate in a sustainable, circular and integrated way.
The Pitch Up! process brings Pitchers and Partners together in our annual call for submissions every November. Successful matches then go on to work together and with the wider Pitch Up! community to grow their ideas to fruition…
Find out more here.
But who?
Pitch Up! was founded by Tim May, Managing Director of Kingsclere Estates. Tim is a pioneering force in modern agriculture, seamlessly blending sustainability with innovation. He has transformed Kingsclere Estates through implementing organic, regenerative and mobile infrastructure practices focused on improving soil health, animal welfare, biodiversity and circular systems.
A fourth generation farmer, Tim has travelled the world looking at progressive farming models. His vision, cultivated through this extensive research and a Nuffield scholarship, aims to transform traditional farming into a ‘circular community’ system. Tim is now committed to sharing what he has learnt with farms and businesses across the UK and beyond, speaking at events and teaching a holistic management course.
Find out more about Tim’s story here.
“Many farmers and estate managers are keen to get more businesses onto their land in a financially and environmentally sustainable way, but don’t always know where to start – or have the time and capacity to do it themselves. If we can all share knowledge, experience and resources instead of duplicating work or making the same mistakes, it’s better for everyone – and we can grow the impact and opportunities much faster. There’s an increasing focus at government level on collaboration between farms – this is a collaboration that can have multiple benefits for both rural economies and the environment they depend on.”
Tim May, Kingsclere Estates
The Pitch Up! Community
Fancy pitching up, but not quite sure where to start? Visit the website here or find us on Instagram @pitchupandgrow and LinkedIn.
