Support the Black Barn Project: for Nature, for People, for the Next Generation

Please join us at Woodoaks Farm to bring the Black Barn Project to life: A transformational project that restores wildlife and biodiversity, reconnects people to where our food comes from, and protects precious landscapes for future generations. 

Woodoaks Farm has shaped the landscape for over 1000 years. Our story started with Sally Findlay's generous gift of the 300-acre farm to The Soil Association Land Trust in 2020.  With it, she shared her powerful vision and wish to return Woodoaks to the heart of the community in a meaningful way that creates a lasting legacy and a haven for wildlife and people. 

Since 2020, we’ve built a thriving community, restored over 3K of hedgerows, established a committed group of volunteers, transitioned our arable land to organic and created a school programme that welcomes over 550 school children a year.  In a tough time for nature and the world at large, our positive impact is getting noticed... we have even been featured on BBC’s Countryfile twice in recent months!

With your support we can:

✅ Restore & protect the historic farm buildings while creating new spaces for education, workshops, and community events. 

✅ Reconnect people with nature, providing hands-on experiences in farming, wildlife conservation, and sustainability. 

✅ Welcome diverse communities, ensuring everyone—especially those who may not have easy access to green spaces—can enjoy and benefit from the farm. 

✅ Tackle biodiversity loss & climate change, demonstrating how nature-led farming can support the health of both people and the planet.

Our plans in action:

• Restore and Protect Nature: Across the farm, habitats will be enriched and expanded, from hedgerows and wildflower meadows to ponds and woodlands. Farmland bird populations will recover, rare plants will return, and pollinators will thrive, ensuring a farm ecosystem that is rich in life.

• Planet-Friendly Farming: As an organic farm, Woodoaks will use regenerative techniques that build soil health, enhance biodiversity, and increase resilience to climate change. Our land will support a rich diversity of crops, ensuring that soil fertility is restored, carbon is sequestered, and nature flourishes.

This is an artist's impression of how the farm will look by 2030 with traditional landscapes restored. To see just how much is changing visit our farm website https://woodoaksfarm.com and scroll between the before and after maps!  

• Reconnect People to Food, Farming and Nature: People are at the heart of our vision. Our project provides the essential visitor services to welcome, educate, and inspire visitors, from schoolchildren and aspiring farmers to local community organisations and families. Through immersive experiences in food, farming, and conservation, we will foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the role we all play in protecting it.

"Volunteering at Woodoaks lets me give back to this companion I have lived alongside for 60 years, and help heal the decline and leave a legacy for all" Woodoaks volunteer.

"It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, share knowledge whilst mucking in - I feel like I am part of something very special" Sue, Woodoaks volunteer.

Creating a new Community and Education hub

To truly open up the wealth of possibilities, Woodoaks Farm now needs the basics. Right now, we don’t have any warm indoor spaces—or even accessible toilets—that allow us to properly welcome people in. Without these essentials, we’re limited in what we can offer. The new Community and Education Hub, alongside the restored Grade II listed Black Barn, will give us the space and facilities we need to host events, workshops, school visits and more, all year round. 

But this is about so much more than bricks and mortar. This is about creating a place where people connect with each other and with the land. 

The Hub will be the starting point: a warm, welcoming space where people gather, learn, and get inspired—before heading out into the fields, woods, and grasslands to get hands-on. Whether it’s growing food, restoring wildlife habitats, or learning about the heritage of the farm, this is where community, conservation, and education come to life. This is where true connection happens.  A place that will stand the test of time and help restore balance to people and planet wellbeing.  

The Education and Community Hub will become the gateway to the farm and the wider landscape beyond. A place for:- 

 🌱  Environmental Education with soil health and nature at the heart of it.
🌿 Skills training in sustainability
🍎 Hands-on food and farming experiences
🎉   Community events and celebrations

Here is how it looks now: 

Here is how it will look: An Artist’s impression.

Artist's impression of the new learning space interior:

We are currently exposed to seasonal extremes of wind, rain, heat and cold. With your support we can beat these seasonal challenges, creating a year-round offering for all ages and abilities which will ensure:

Access for All
We’re making Woodoaks a farm for everyone — with new accessible facilities and pathways so all visitors can explore and enjoy the landscape, whatever their needs.

"I have mobility problems alongside mental health issues. I didn't think it was for me but everyone was so welcoming. My weekly session at Woodoaks makes me feel valued in society, something that people like me don't feel generally’ Gary, Woodoaks volunteer. 

Supporting young people with learning difficulties .. planting willow on the farm as part of our Mission Employable pilot programme:

"They have taken so much from their time there and have been inspired to consider employment in farm maintenance. Ranger Steve Dutch leads with such infectious passion and excellent knowledge for the environment. We look forward to working together more in the future” Cass Langan Mission EmployAble Training manager.

Getting Stuck In
From planting trees to restoring habitats and growing food, we’re creating hands-on opportunities for people to connect with nature and take positive action for the planet.

Woodoaks pumpkin growing project with our local school:

Life-Long Learning in Nature
We’ll offer nature-based learning for all ages — from toddlers to older adults — including tailored sessions for those with special educational needs and alternative education groups.

Local school children getting familiar with worms in our compost piles:

‘My class loved their visit and gained so much from the experience that I will be actively encouraging other teachers to visit and make the most of this amazing resource we are so fortunate to have on our doorstep.’ Teacher, Shepherds School

We're Nearly There—But your Woodoaks Farm needs you!  

HELP US RAISE £25K and get our money doubled to £50K with the help of AVIVA Matchfunding!  

Thanks to generous funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, HS2 Community & Environment Fund, together with grants from national Trusts & Foundations, Corporate Partners and Individuals we are now close to reaching our target and we are hugely grateful for the generous support of so many already. 

Now, we're reaching out to the wider community to raise the final £50,000—with £25,000 to come from this public appeal. 

🌟 Be Part of the Legacy 

👉Join us, to support this valuable community and environment project, to be a part of Woodoaks' sustainable future.  Every donation—large or small—brings us one step closer to making this vision a reality. 

Thank you so much for being part of something truly special. 

"The plan for the future of Woodoaks is a beacon of hope in an area which has been so blighted by overdevelopment in the last few years. We would be devastated if this was lost". Maple Cross resident.