We’re delighted to announce that Resonance has joined the New Models for Farm Succession project team as a financial adviser. Shared Assets, along with Stir to Action, Ecological Land Coop and CSA Network UK have been developing plans to work with around five family farms who are exploring farmland sale. The project is researching ways in which farmland owners could better transfer land, through sale or asset transfer, to organisations and businesses who want to steward that farmland in agroecologically and socially responsible ways. Resonance will be working closely with the team to understand the needs of family farmers, and to explore how farmland sales could meet their financial, cultural, social, and emotional needs once that sale takes place.

Find out more here

Resonance has a strong track record working with social enterprises and community groups using farmland and green spaces to generate change and a financial return to impact investors. These include Stockwood Community Benefit Society who have successfully developed a blended model of farmland, business park and renewable energy development, with the assets owned by community shareholders. Resonance has also invested in, and raised money for, Urban Biodiversity CIC who tackle social deprivation through their Newquay Orchard and community space. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, we are particularly excited about how farmland can be used by communities as a local asset and resource; to provide space and food for people.

Applications still open
The New Models for Farm Succession project is still open for applications from Family Farmers. If you’re interested in applying, fill out this expression of interest. A member of the project team (from Stir to Action or Shared Assets) will then contact you to discuss. For any questions, please email [email protected]

Martin Lawson from Resonance said, “we’re really pleased to be working with a team of purposeful organisations committed to improving the food system. Food and Farming enterprises are an emerging sector in social finance, and we’re pleased to be at the forefront of shaping how food is grown, accessed, and financed by joining the project team.”

Tom Carman from Shared Assets said, “we’re excited to be working with Resonance - not only are their skills in developing sophisticated but user-friendly models very welcome, but Resonance bring a strategy to this partnership by being able to link us with their networks, plus they share values that are kind, supportive and welcoming to those working to improve the food system.” 

Dan Woolley from Stir to Action said, “we know that this project will greatly benefit from the knowledge and expertise that Resonance can bring.  We’ve already learned a lot from them and how social finance could support the growth of the democratic economy.”