Barleybird, The Bean Store, Brampton Depot, Beccles (2026)

13/09/2026

We're all set up and ready to share our love of agroecology, especially seeds for food and fibre, to support the latest We Feed the UK exhibition by the The Gaia Foundation
Come and join us today at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse for their Heritage Open Day in Norfolk- it's free!

06/07/2026

Thank you to Emily of for this brilliant video summarising last week’s tour of .

A fantastic afternoon spent in the field with farmers, bakers, chefs and local organisations, exploring how greater diversity in our cereal crops can help build more resilient farming systems.

Farm manager Mike shared how older, taller wheat varieties, diverse crop mixtures and agroforestry are helping the farm respond to disease, drought and other environmental pressures.

from Barleybird and members of the East Anglian Grain Alliance () shared how closer relationships between farmers,millers and bakers are helping to create a stronger local grain economy rooted in collaboration, biodiversity and delicious, nutritious food.

There were plenty of thoughtful conversations, questions and ideas exchanged throughout the afternoon. It’s exciting to see so many new faces from East Anglian Farms, all keen to explore how they can transition their businesses towards more biodiverse cereal crops, while supported by regional, relational trading networks.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, for the bakers who generously shared their delicious bread and cakes, and to Maple Farm for opening its gates.

welcomes new farmers, millers, chefs and bakers to join us at our next event at on 29th September. Contact Barleybird through our website for more details.

03/06/2026

How do we rebuild resilient grain systems from the seed up?

With support from , the East Anglian Grain Alliance () is hosting a free Learning Network event at Duchess Farm in Hertfordshire on June 18th.

Join us for a day exploring heritage grains, seed sovereignty and farmer-led research at the home of Organics, who mill grain and supply flour to bakeries across the UK.

Bringing together farmers, growers, researchers, bakers and seed savers, the day will focus on how independent seed research can help develop diverse, locally adapted grain varieties that work for both people and planet. Expect field walks, practical discussion, shared learning and conversations about the future of heritage grains in the UK.

As interest in resilient, regionally adapted grain varieties continues to grow, this is a valuable opportunity to connect with others working to strengthen grain diversity and seed independence across the food system.

📍 Gilchesters Organics, Hertfordshire
📅 18 June, 12pm-3pm
🎟️ Book your place via the link in our bio

01/06/2026

Free farm tour: diverse cereal cropping in East Anglia 🌾

Join us on 29th June for a tour of Maple Farm; an opportunity to see resilient cereal crops in the field just before harvest and learn how diversity can strengthen farming systems.

All are welcome, but we are especially inviting those in or around the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths or Dedham Vale National Landscapes .

We’ll be looking at older, taller wheat varieties, cereal mixtures and agroforestry systems, and discussing how crop diversity can help manage disease, drought and other environmental pressures.

We’ll also be joined by farmers, millers and bakers from the East Anglian Grain Alliance for insights into building local grain economies and resilient food systems.

There will be opportunities to ask questions and find out more about growing, processing and marketing a greater diversity of crops – especially cereals.

📍 Maple Farm, Saxmundham
📅 Monday 29th June
🎟️ Free to attend, refreshments provided

Head to the link in our bio to book.

26/05/2026

Last week, hosted a gathering for at , an evening centred around diverse grains, local grain economies, and the people helping to shape them.

We were joined by over 30 farmers, millers, bakers and eaters of bread made from diverse grains from across Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire (where were you, good people of Essex?!)

Shimpling Park Farm is organic arable, but with sheep and agroforestry integrated into its system. The farm mills its own flour on site, which is used by for beautiful bread and other baked goods. Attendees were treated to delicious sourdough pizza, fresh from the on-farm oven.

During the workshop and farm tour, we shared where each of us are on the journey to creating more resilient local food systems in East Anglia, in particular with diverse grains, and discussed what we can do to support each other on this journey.

It’s about connecting to one another, building relationships, and acknowledging shared values. Discovering and linking the incredible people ‘assets’ we have in the region to learn, grow and create.

We’d love to connect with more farmers, millers & bakers in our region!

Our next gathering is on 29th June for a tour of .

Get in touch via [email protected] if you wish to join us, or to hear about other East Anglian Grain Alliance events in collaboration with Barleybird.

09/04/2026

Spend two evenings at Hodmedod’s HQ in Suffolk, plus a farm visit - diving into the story of our food – and how it could be grown differently – with 10% off if you book now 🌱

Barleybird is running an Introduction to Agroecology, a three-part course exploring the ideas, practices and people shaping more resilient food systems.

Whether you’re a grower, cook, creative or simply curious about food or farming, this course is for you. Beginning with two evening sessions at the Bean Store near Beccles, followed by a full-day visit to the beautiful , expect a mix of discussion, real-world examples, interactive activities and time on the land.

Together, we’ll explore:

- the differences between organic, regenerative and agroecological farming
- the journey from grain to bread
- how our food choices connect to wider global systems
- and what a more localised, diverse & climate-resilient future could look like

Join us at Hodmedod’s on Thursday 14th May & Thursday 21st May, 6.00pm-8.30pm, and on Maple Farm, Saturday 23rd May, 10am-4pm.

Use code INTROSAVER for 10% off when booking before April 19th. Full details about this course – and similar courses in Norfolk and London – at the link in bio.

If agroecology relates to your working life, this course is ideal for continual professional development (CPD).

barleybird

12/03/2026

Curious about how our food is grown and how farming could work better for people and the planet?

Barleybird is running the first of four short 'Introduction to Agroecology' courses exploring the ideas, practices and people shaping more resilient food systems. Designed for anyone interested in farming, food and sustainability, the course combines discussion, real-world examples and time on the land.

The first course runs across two evening sessions in London at e5 bakehouse, followed by a full-day visit to two beautiful farms in Suffolk - Maple Farm, Kelsale & Fellows Farm. Together you’ll explore the differences between organic, regenerative and agroecological farming, learn about the journey from grain to bread, and meet farmers and food producers working to build more diverse and climate-resilient farming systems.

Dates:
📍 21 April – evening session, London
📍 28 April – evening session, London
🌾 9 May – full-day farm visit in Suffolk

The course fee is £375, including transport to the farm, lunch and refreshments. Places are limited: https://barleybird.org/events-workshops-training/intro-to-ag-course1-2026

If you can't make this one, this course will be running three more times in other locations across the East and South-East during May and June. To see the full programme and locations, head here: https://barleybird.org/events-workshops-training

10/03/2026

Diverse communities, diverse crops 🌾🥬

We recently gathered for a community meal in Colchester, bringing together people who had taken part in the farm visits as part of our Diverse Communities, Diverse Crops project, along with other members of the local community.

Food was cooked and shared by participants using their own cultural recipes, alongside vegetables from the market garden. The dishes included some of the crops explored in the project’s informal trials – including amaranth, dudhi leaves and shark fin melon – as well as whole grains like naked oats and wheat from , which we’d been discussing as potential alternatives to white rice.

One important theme that emerged during conversations in both Colchester and Ipswich was the impact of diabetes within these communities. Many traditional dishes rely heavily on white rice and refined flour, often alongside high sugar and fat diets and limited opportunities for exercise. At the same time, there was strong interest in exploring wholegrain rice alternatives and in whether crops like karela (bitter gourd), known in many cultures for supporting blood sugar management, could be grown more widely in the UK.

Just as importantly, the meal was a chance to strengthen the relationships built throughout the project. Cooking and eating together is a powerful way to create connection, share knowledge and celebrate culture.

16/02/2026

🌱 Barleybird Seed Swap 2026 🌱

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Saturday at Hodmedod’s HQ for this year’s Barleybird Seed Swap. What a wonderful way to kick-start the growing season – tables covered in seed packets, conversations flowing freely, and a real sense of shared purpose in the room.

What an incredible turnout it was – we estimate that over 300 people took part - twice the number we had in 2025, so we were overwhelmed... in a good way! The Seed Swap has become an integral part of Barleybird’s aim to empower and engage people to change the food system.

It was a joy to see so many growers – seasoned and first-time alike – swapping seeds, stories and practical tips for the months ahead. From generous contributions of saved seed to the tree saplings kindly shared by the Suffolk Tree Warden Network, the spirit of community was everywhere. Red Hat Orchards’ red walnuts sparked plenty of curiosity, and the guided tour of the Bean Store, mill and bakery was a highlight for many.

Events like this remind us that resilient food systems start locally, with people willing to share knowledge, seed and enthusiasm – and we’re already looking forward to next year. Subscribe to Barleybird newsletters through our website to hear about future events.🌾

11/02/2026

Diverse Cropping in East Anglia 🌾

On a cold but sunny day on Maple Farm, Kelsale, a group of farmers from a range of arable farms across Suffolk and Essex came together to discuss how we might create more diverse cropping systems in East Anglia – and how these systems might support a more diverse, localised food economy which better meets our need for safe, nutritious and affordable food.

We learned of existing projects and opportunities with examples from Gaina , Carrie , Josiah , Robyn & Fred and Mike .

We looked at practical ways to widen rotations, grow a greater range of crops and create resilient markets closer to home. We explored ideas for shortening supply chains between farmer, miller, baker and eater. These chains are not just about more direct supplies of nourishing food – they are also about culture and tradition, shared values, trust and relationships. They honour and celebrate cereal grains which are embedded in the landscape and community from where they came, and where they will be tasted and enjoyed.

Thanks to our funders and for hosting such an inspiring day.

Barleybird

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