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Stanmer Organics Celebrates Another Successful Soil Association Inspection

Soil Association Organic Standard License number AB14039

Photo: Jools & Liz Fork and Dig it, Katy: Wylde Service, Rhona Hearts & Flowers and our inspector Vick Cain

We’re thrilled to announce that Stanmer Organics has once again passed its annual Soil Association inspection, securing our certification for another year. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to sustainable, ethical, and regenerative growing practices, and allows us to continue nurturing our thriving off-grid community at the heart of Stanmer Park.

Each year, the inspection assesses every aspect of our operations — from soil health and seed sourcing to composting, crop rotation, and biodiversity management. Passing this rigorous process means that our fruits, vegetables, medicinal herbs, indigenous wipps (young tree saplings), and flowers for cutting all meet the highest organic standards. More than that, it’s recognition of the dedication and collective effort of everyone involved in the Stanmer Organics community — growers, makers, volunteers, educators, and visitors alike.

For over two decades, Stanmer Organics has been a hub for ecological learning and low-impact living. Entirely off-grid, the site is powered by renewable energy and sustained by permaculture principles that work in harmony with the natural landscape. Our growers use regenerative methods to restore soil fertility, encourage wildlife, and build climate resilience. Composting, mulching, and water-harvesting systems are at the heart of our approach, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and that the land continues to regenerate itself naturally.

Our work extends beyond food production. We cultivate medicinal herbs used in community health and wellbeing projects, grow native tree saplings (whips)for rewilding and restoration efforts across Sussex, and produce cut flowers that bring colour and life to local homes and events. Every crop and every plant is grown with care, respect, and deep awareness of its role within the wider ecosystem.

This year’s successful inspection is a testament not only to our growing practices, but also to the community spirit that sustains Stanmer Organics. Volunteers continue to contribute countless hours to maintaining the site, sharing skills, and helping us create a space where people can reconnect with the land and learn about sustainable living in a hands-on way.

As we celebrate this success, we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and regeneration. We remain committed to nurturing the soil beneath our feet, supporting biodiversity above it, and sharing the knowledge and joy that comes from truly sustainable living.

Thanks to our sub group team who have lead us through another successful inspection.

Here’s to another year of organic abundance and community resilience at Stanmer Organics! ðŸŒ±

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Stanmer Organics Job Opportunity

SO Administrator / Coordinator
Location: Remote (with occasional visits to Stanmer Park, Brighton)
Hours: 4 hours per week (up to 18-20 hours per month).
Pay: £17 per hour

Stanmer Organics is a vibrant collective of 18 land-based projects in Stanmer Park, Brighton. Together, we grow food and medicine, care for the land, and nurture community connections.

We’re seeking a friendly, organised, and reliable Administrator / Coordinator to support our Directors with day-to-day administration, communication, and coordination. You’ll manage enquiries, keep records up to date, support meetings, and help maintain positive relationships with our members, partners, and Brighton & Hove City Council.

This flexible, part-time role suits someone who enjoys bringing order to busy community organisations and values sustainability, inclusion, and care for people and planet.

Download the full job description here and the application form here.

Deadline for applications is Monday 27th October at 5pm
Interviews: Tuesday 4th November from 10am

Apply by sending your completed application form to stanmerorganics@gmail.com and help us grow a thriving, connected, and sustainable community at Stanmer Park.

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Glow Up: Spotlight on Petal Project

March 2025


Pause, forage, dye and dance– at Stanmer Organics’ Petal Project

Stanmer Organics’ Petal Project is excited to announce three upcoming collaborative workshops for 2025 at its Stanmer Park plot. 

The Pausing for a Mono Moment of Magic and Movement with Kt Simpson, founder and director of local immersive theatre company Copperdollar, is a series of quarterly meetings designed to explore, honour and share space around the menopause. 

The dates are:

Celebrate the Feminine – Friday 7th March 12pm-2pm

The Power of Potential – Friday 16th May 2pm-4pm

Re-storing the Balance – Friday 19th September 2pm-4pm

Embracing the Shadow – Friday 28th November 

Creating a Forage Garden, an opportunity to learn how to grow an edible garden with the celebrated (Brighton-based/born) Michelin chef and urban forager Christian Amys.  The Forage garden will begin to take shape early this year so come and get involved in the early planning stages. 

While Savile Row-trained bespoke coat-maker and colour genius Ruth Frances will run a Colour natural dye workshop this summer- watch this space for a release date.  We will start to sow the natural dye plants at our volunteer days so please come and get involved! 

Volunteer days are every 3rd Sunday and every other Monday.

We are also delighted to announce a new partnership with Echo Performing Arts – a Brighton based dance company for neurodivergent people, and/or people with physical and/or learning disabilities.

Opened in 2019, as a not-for-profit CIC (community interest company), the Petal Project provides a glorious space in which everyone, including adults with additional needs can get creative in nature, using natural materials. 

Come and join us as we delve into nature in creative, accessible and therapeutic ways.

For more information contact petalprojectbrighton@gmail.com

petalprojectbrighton@gmail.com

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Native Trees for Sale

Our long standing native tree nursery “Special Branch” has local, native, bare-rooted trees and shrubs for sale. They are grown on site by the wise hands of the Special Branch volunteer team and can bought for a steal at £1.20 – £2 each this winter.

Be quick if you would like some as supplies are limited!

Contact Special Branch directly by emailing Martin and the team: specialbranchtrees@googlemail.com

Keep planting!

Speak soon

Lisa

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Stanmer Organics Summer Open Day

29th July 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Stanmer Organics’ 2023 Open Day – a fun-filled and affordable day out for everyone

If you go down to Stanmer woods on Saturday 29th July, between 11am and 5pm, you’re in for a big surprise: one that promises to delight visitors of all ages.

This year’s Open Day at Stanmer Organics, the Soil Association-accredited organic centre in Stanmer Park, promises an activity filled day out for all, with offerings as diverse as drumming workshops and forest saunas, fabulous freshly cooked food and hand-carved didgeridoos.

Find us beyond One Garden Brighton, just follow the signs through the park or see the poster outside the Fruit Factory in Stanmer village. Entry is free, so save your money to try out some of our wonderful nature-based activities, experiences and products.

Stanmer staff will be leading free site tours from outside the Earthship at 11.15am, 1.15pm and 3.15pm, and Brighton Mayor Jacqueline O’Quinn will be dropping by to join one of these. A long-standing supporter of the work done by Stanmer Organics, Mayor Jacqueline is excited to be taking part in what is fast becoming a highlight of the city’s cultural and community calendar.

Plots will be open to the public and many will be offering a range of tasty refreshments, with tea capped at an affordable one pound a cup! Here’s a brief selection of what’s on offer:

See how the Brighton Permaculture Trust embraces the Earth care, people care and a fair share ethics of permaculture at its inspirational demonstration plot. Amble through the food forest, buy an organic plant from the nursery, or just sit down and take in the beauty of its stunning biodiversity.

Future Roots welcomes visitors to experience a wealth of exciting activities. This includes a drumming workshop; a healing ritual ‘for the rejuvenation of the natural world and human life’; a cacao ceremony; story-telling; mask-making — and much more.

The Happy Belly Project is open to visitors from 11am until 4pm. Don’t miss the entertaining and informative ‘One Planet Foods Vision Workshop’, between 1pm and 3pm.

Living Vital’s refugee and migrant community will be cooking up a mouth-watering range of African and Middle Eastern sweet and savoury foods. Visitors can also explore this gloriously lush garden, sample fresh produce and sign up for volunteering.

Pop in to the Petal Project’s gorgeously green plot for fresh dhal and Ayurvedic masala chai, live music from Solebound and screen printing and felt-making taster sessions. Visitors are also invited to treat themselves to a self-care shiatsu massage.

Follow your nose to the fragrantly floral Physic Garden for a peek into a wonderful world of medicinal plants. Enjoy a demonstration, take a guided tour of the garden, relax and enjoy freshly infused teas and refreshments. Find out how you can get involved in volunteering and sign up for medicine making workshops.

Discover the breathtaking world of sculpture as Mark Stonestreet and Rosie Jones showcase their stunning new collections at Stanmer Stone Studios. Prepare to be captivated by figurative and abstract forms; from hand-held masterpieces to monumental works of art, crafted with precision and passion from marble, granite and limestone.

A hands-on delight for children and adults, Woodcraft Workshops will be demonstrating a range of inspirational woodcraft skills and beautifully hand-crafted workshop products. Visitors can try out flutes and didgeridoos, or sign up for a circular breathing lesson and some fun with water and straws.

Whichever plots you choose to visit, you’re sure to experience a fun, nature-filled day out at Brighton’s biggest and most beautiful organic growing, arts, crafts and therapeutic centre.

For more information, contact Fiona McWilliam, Brighton Permaculture Trust (fionamcw@gmail.com)

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PLOT TO RENT AT STANMER ORGANICS

THIS PLOT IS NOW LET!
We have not one but two exciting new projects joining us under the banner of Stanmer Organics!

Watch this space for further news…

Stanmer Organics are excited to announce that one of our most established plots is available to rent from Spring 2023. 

The plot is situated on the bottom track of Stanmer Organics and has clearly defined areas of hedging, clearings, a pond, wild flower areas and a beautiful willow bower. The soil is currently poor to grow on except in one small area so any growing project would need to establish raised beds. The plot is suitable for a variety of purposes but horticultural knowledge and skills will be paramount to take care of this piece of land.

To view the plot please join us on Saturday 7th January 11am-2.30pm or Sunday 8th January 11am-2.30pm.  We will be meeting at the entrance sign to Stanmer Organics by the bottom gate (opposite the large woodchip pile).

A site plan of current use and measurements will be sent out with the application form.

To register your interest in applying please email stanmerorganics@gmail.com. 

PLEASE NOTE: Application pack will be sent out from Tuesday 3rd January 2023. 

Deadline for return of applications is FRIDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2023 5pm

ANNUAL PLOT FEES INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP: £282.50

DEPOSIT: £500.00

THIS PLOT IS NOW LET.

We have not one, but two new projects joining us! Watch this space for further news…