Our land co-op, Keveral Sustainable Land Holdings Ltd (KSLH), purchased the 25 acres of farm land at Keveral in 1997. It was financed using loans from friends and supporters, known as loanstock. This is repayed out of the rent payed by Keveral Farmers worker's co-op for using the land.

Our most recent land purchase, in 1999, of four acres of Kenel Park was planted with nearly 2000 trees during the winter of 2001/02, which will bring in woodland grants of £7750 over 15 years. Some ground was left open for other developments, including orchard, soft fruit, and timber processing.

Immediately to the north of our farmhouse, Kenel Park was previously agri-business land, repeatedly ploughed, compacted, and dosed with chemicals. It now links our farm to our spring in Keveral Woods. The increase in soil life, and the roots of the growing trees, will aerate the soil and cleanse it of poisons. Water absorption into the soil will increase, and the quality and seasonal flow of water through our spring will be improved.

The aims of KSLH are:

• to acquire land to be managed in an ecologically diverse and sustainable manner
  
• to strengthen the local economy by meeting local needs
  
• to promote education in the fields of ecology, the countryside and traditional crafts
  
• to increase public access to the countryside

Our vision is of self-reliant rural communities, diverse land use, and small-scale producers, which will nurture the soil, our water resources, and biodiversity, as well as our own health and well-being.