Behind the Scenes: Regenerative Urban Farming at Northern Roots

Spend an afternoon behind the scenes at Northern Roots with Georgia Forsyth, Urban Farm and Landscape Manager. Georgia will share our unique approach to developing the UK’s largest Urban Farm and be available to talk about our current Urban Farm business opportunities - https://northern-roots.uk/opportunities/jobs-volunteering/

The Urban Farm currently covers 5 acres of previously poor-quality, post-industrial land. Over the coming years it will expand to 10 acres of market garden with additional livestock, agroforestry, orchards, aquaculture, beekeeping, nurseries, horticulture and foraging, showcasing productive urban farming at a scale unseen in the UK.

Our approach focuses on intertwining conservation and production, providing healthy locally grown food to local communities at affordable prices, and enabling people to access training, education, jobs, volunteering and business opportunities within the land-based sector.

During the event you’ll explore our Phase 1 Urban Farm with Georgia as your guide. Established three years ago with the help of local young people and volunteers, Phase 1 has generated enough high-quality produce to support weekly summer produce sales for the third year running.

You’ll also get unique access to our four-acre Phase 2 Urban Farm, which isn’t currently open to the public. Work began on Phase 2 last year and it will open in summer 2026 along with a brand-new Visitor Centre and Forestry Skills Centre.

We have a limited number of FREE places available for this event. You will need to book your place via Eventbrite.

KEY INFORMATION

Price: Free

Group Size: 20

Date and time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm on Wednesday 24th September

Location: Northern Roots, Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BJ. Here’s how to find us.

Age limits: 18+

Parking: Parking is free in our small car park, as well as along Kings Road and in Alexandra Park Car Parks.

Clothing: Please wear weather-proof clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for mixed terrains in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 Urban Farm. This session is not accessible for wheelchairs. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the session.

Refreshments: No refreshments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Toilets: We have a small composting toilet available on site.

Cancellation Policy: Please let us know in advance if you cannot attend by cancelling through Eventbrite or emailing info@northern-roots.uk.

Have a question? Please reach out to info@northern-roots.uk

Georgia Forsyth, Urban Farm and Landscape Manager

Georgia Forsyth is a trained agronomist, ecologist and tree surgeon whose interest in growing originated in her local council estate community garden in Edinburgh. She studied ecological and environmental sciences, and organic agriculture. After working in journalism and photography, she came back to her neighbourhood to work in community food growing.

During her career Georgia has managed a diverse array of sites and projects, including a historic walled garden and a primary school farm, teaching hundreds of children how to farm through a two-year programme.

Georgia has worked in agricultural research in multiple countries and on projects that redirect food waste to charities that can use it. She has worked on and designed regenerative farming systems for land from half an acre to thousands of acres, in both rural and urban areas.