For decades the intensification of farming has contributed to severe biodiversity loss in Scotland. This, coupled with increasing climate instability is making it more difficult to grow food in this country.

Recognising the importance of enabling biodiversity to support food security, Kirriemuir Community Farm have recently taken on a 17-acre plot where, with the support of the Catalyst Award, they plan on exploring how regenerative land management can help both local food production and nature recovery.

As part of the planned 12‑month participatory action research project, the volunteer group will sow meadow and wildflower areas to support a rapid transition to regenerative local food growing. Working with native wildflower grower Scotia Seeds, the group will examine different meadow management practices and assess how a mosaic of habitats can improve biodiversity, eco-system services and resilience.