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Food Forest Podcast
as guest
How to grow a profitable farm that feeds your village
Andy Dibben
In this episode of the Food for Us Podcast, Louis De Jaeger sits down with Andy Dibben, head grower at Abbey Home Farm, to explore what truly community-focused farming looks like in practice. They talk about feeding hundreds of people each week from one farm, weaving trees into vegetable production, and the powerful role of agroforestry in building climate-resilient systems. Andy shares real-world lessons from the field: the wins, the challenges, and why biodiversity and experimentation are non-negotiable for the future of farming. Together, they look ahead to a world where perennial crops, wildlife-friendly fields, and innovative practices form the backbone of a more sustainable food system.
Key takeaways
- - Abbey Home Farm supplies fresh food for around 800 people every week.
- Farming with a strong community focus can be both meaningful and financially viable.
- Integrating trees into horticulture can boost vegetable yields and overall system health.
- Building resilience to climate change is now a core priority for farmers.
- Perennial crops often need less water and management, making them ideal for a warming world.
- Rich biodiversity is the foundation of truly sustainable agriculture.
- Farmers must learn to share their fields with wildlife, not exclude it.
- In farming, nothing is permanent (even trees) so systems must be designed to evolve.
- Shifting toward healthier, more responsible food production is no longer optional.
- The move toward sustainable agriculture is not a destination but an ongoing journey of learning and adaptation.
Useful links
- - Abbey Home Farm Website – https://www.theorganicfarmshop.co.uk/farm/
- Book “Silvohorticulture” by Andy Dibben and Ben Raskin – https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/silvohorticulture/?srsltid=AfmBOopyymJ4K15pWgTaToWnpfqcB56rvU47GQSAz3CqD8NJky9hcU5L
- Abbey Home Farm Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theorganicfarmshop/
- Abbey Home Farm Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theorganicfarmshop
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