DEVON farmer and award-winning food producer Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, also known as The Black Farmer, has spoken about the importance of allotments and having space to grow your own fresh fruit and veg.
He is also driving a movement to encourage more young people, especially those from ethnic minorities, to take up growing and become involved in rural communities.
His statement comes after the National Allotment Society (NAS) reported a massive spike in allotment interest as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown.
Wilfred was born in Jamaica and brought up in inner-city Birmingham. He started working in the food industry before joining the BBC’s Food and Drink programme. He later went on to realising his dream farming, buying land near Launceston in Cornwall.
The Cornish community initially called him ‘the black farmer’ and he gave the name to his award-winning range of meat products.
Wilfred has also launched a scholarship scheme that encourages ethnic minorities to find work in rural communities where they are widely under-represented. He was awarded an MBE in the 2020 New Year’s Honours for services for farming.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters