A viable study released by the Ecological Land Cooperative (ELC) has shown that there is scope to launch an ‘ecological land fund’, from which investors will, potentially, earn modest returns, while allowing the cooperative the freedom to buy pockets of land for use as small arable farms. All of this movement and its related policy have been headed by ELC as ‘Holding Land in Common for Sustainable Uses’ – which is undeniably a worthy foundation for ecological growth.

ELCs mission recognises that reworking the land has more of a role in society than just the production of food, fibre and fuel. Part of ELCs vision is to include other’s in the way they see land usage as having a ‘profound impact on us and ecosystems, locally, nationally and globally. And although seldom acknowledged, the way in which we use our land also shapes our minds and hearts.’

This rather profound take on, what is essentially, the development of smallholdings, does have a degree of truth to it. The culture of change is probably the most effective force that drives the ‘green wave’ of awareness. It is becoming a common acceptance from a lot of people that making the smallest changes in their daily routines can in fact lead some of the greatest ecological impacts into being. And it is a positive movement to see an organisation like ELC hold this as a high valued part of their business outlook.

‘As we become forced to address the consequences of our individual consumer wealth – a less stable, more toxic and more violent world – we will have to re-examine our relationship with the land,’ states ELC spokesperson. And it is true. With gas, food and electricity (to mention a few) prices spiralling, more viable and sustainable solutions are being solidified to ensure the security of an emerging ecological future.

ELC is a co-op of multiple stakeholders, including contractors, prospective tenants and current tenants and a micro-managing role for the investors who will finance the purchase of land. One of the methods the eco-firm operates within is the continual acquiring of planning permission for ecological uses for the land their investors support. To a certain level, ELC work to give parcels of British land the agricultural significance they need to receive the financial support that will re-float them within that respective market. In short, the company will help to continue and promote the ecological use of the UK.

Since receiving initial funding from the SW Co-op Group’s Cooperative Development Fund, the ELC has succeeded in securing further backing that has permitted deeper investigation into surfacing a more responsive type of community land trust that will saturate their key five driving points – ‘Speed’ ‘Bulk’ ‘Risk’ ‘Finance’ and ‘Experimentation’ – and overcome the hurdles that make new smallholding difficult for the landless to establish.

What there is to be sure of at this early stage is ELC will be run as a co-operative, which makes it an organisation accountable to its main stakeholders. This alone is a strong foot forward for what’s best for Britain, as this structure will empower the people who are actively engaged in managing the land, thus keeping these minds held at the forefront of the ecological business’s actions.

Posted under Environmental News, Gardening & Outdoors