history & community

We are accused of going against the times. We are doing that deliberately and with all our strength.

—Lanza del Vasto

Our History: Rooted in Fivepenny Farm

Fivepenny Farm is in the South West of England on the Devon-Dorset border, more specifically we’re located in Wootton Fitzpaine. near Charmouth by the sea.

The Southwest of England is known for its innovative food production and food system policy work. The vision for the land is an evolution of the traditional mixed farms that were central to the farming practices of this area. We have adapted this traditional framework to create an a socially and environmentally regenerative settlement.

Fivepenny Farm was started in 2003 by four friends, David Saltmarsh, Kerry Haywood, Olly Goolden and Jyoti Fernandes to be developed as a low impact mixed organic farm from bare fields. They built their homes on the land, eventually gaining planning permission by developing financially viable land-based businesses. After 20 years it has become embedded in the local community and continues to provide food for local markets.

The farm is home to PEPC- The Peasant Evolution Producers Co-operative is a company limited by guarantee in the local area, a cooperative of local small holders that collectively owns equipment for adding value to local produce, specifically an apple press and bottling machine for processing apples into juice and a commercial kitchen.

The Landskills Hub is instigated by Jyoti Fernandes and her daughters Ele, Ari, Chloe and Anya Saltmarsh. The Peasant Evolution Producers Co-operative – a non-profit company limited by guarantee- manages the Land Skills Hub. A small settlement of people associated with the hub will live and work at Fivepenny Farm, but most of the community will live and work in their own places, vistiing for activiites.

Jyoti has been dedicated to land justice activism for 30 years and is now planting the seed for the project, offering 10 acres of land and her life experience to the hub.