Coed Talylan, is the location of the first ALT project with the aim to establish a co-sufficient farm that is designed, managed and evaluated according to the principles of food sovereignty and agroecology. This 70 acre woodland on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons was developed has been managed for nature conservation, the production of medicinal and gourmet mushrooms, horticulture and animal husbandry.

We were drawn to Coed Talylan as a location for the first ALT project for several reasons. Firstly there is the existing infrastructure for the cultivation of fungi. This not only offers a unique business opportunities with the perfect conditions of the woodland but also the potential of developing method of applied mycology in the design of other agroecosystems.We see the ecological re-appropriation of agriculture as an emergence from the understanding of the ecosystem dynamics of a forest or woodland. Fungi is in many ways fundamental to our ecosystem this is never more obvious than in a wooded or forested landscape. As such, Agroforestry has an important role to play in the agroecological movement as a land management practice that contributes to achieving the principles of agroecology.

The choice of region was also a factor. Wales has a strong national identity, with their history and traditions of place kept alive through their own language. Challenging as though it may be we feel that there is much to be learned by engaging more directly with the issues around food sovereignty within an existing rural community.

There is also the benefit of the One planet Development planning policy. In England you have no reassurance that an application won’t be turned down on the whim of a reactionary and conservative local council. Here, thanks to the Welsh Assembly, one can have a greater confidence in the planning process knowing there is a principled right to appeal local decisions if you have met the national requirements.

One Planet Development

There is currently no residential planning permission on the land but we plan to establish a model of cosufficient farm through the One Planet Development (OPD) framework in 2017. The Welsh OPD planning guidance is an exciting opportunity for people who aspire to build their own land-based livelihood while reducing their ecological footprint and  taking responsibility for their own needs and waste.

Courses and workshops at Coed Talylan

You can see our full course list on the courses and workshop page here.

Volunteering

We have volunteer weekends every 2nd weekend of the month. Just get in touch if you are interested in coming along. See here for more information.

About the Land

The land was formerly a Forestry Commission woodland which yielded large quantities of spruce timber. Over the last 10 years, this 70-acre woodland has been partially converted to agroforestry purposes, and has hosted the development of the pioneering Black Mountain Woodfuels, which promotes a system of woodland management that directly supports local energy production.

The woodland contains a number of existing assets:

  • The timber was cleared around 18 years ago and the wood was replanted with a mixture of native broadleaves and some commercial timber species. Nearly all of these commercial crops are now approaching the time at which they can be thinned.
  • The Sitka spruce in particular is now at a point where it requires thinning; these crops should begin to yield a regular timber income.
  • There is also an area of maturing larch within the northern section of the property .

Within the woodland there are a number of buildings and outbuildings. These include:

  • A mushroom growing building and office.
  • A cabin/showroom for use in connection with the previous owner’s other businesses which includes research into wood fired heating and biomass drying technology.
  • Various other sheds and shelters used in connection with the woodfuel and biodiesel business.
  • A 1kw hydro electric generator and battery bank.

Inside the wood there are also areas of open ground containing a vegetable garden with a polytunnel, pig sheds, a number of small paddocks and two recently constructed wildlife ponds incorporating a hugelculture raised bed.