Oxford City Farm, a vibrant community agriculture initiative situated adjacent to Florence Park in East Oxford, has officially opened its expanded £480,000 Outdoor Eco-Learning Centre, providing hands-on food growing, ecological science, and biodiversity education for more than 3,500 local primary school children annually. The newly constructed timber-framed learning barn, funded through the National Lottery Community Fund, local council climate grants, and hundreds of individual neighborhood donations, was unveiled during an open community harvest celebration attended by local families, educators, and ward councillors.
Established on previously derelict former school playing fields, Oxford City Farm has developed into a thriving urban ecological oasis featuring organic vegetable beds, heritage fruit orchards, educational polytunnels, composting demonstration zones, and free-range poultry enclosures. The new facility includes an all-weather educational teaching kitchen where schoolchildren learn how to harvest fresh seasonal produce and prepare healthy, nutritious meals from scratch.
Lucie Mayer, Education Director at Oxford City Farm, highlighted the vital importance of connecting urban children with natural food systems and environmental science. “Many children growing up in modern urban environments have limited access to gardens or natural green spaces,” Mayer explained. “Our expanded eco-learning centre allows children to dig their hands into the soil, understand the science of plant pollination, observe soil microorganisms, and develop a lifelong appreciation for sustainable agriculture and fresh, healthy food.”
Over fourteen local primary schools across East Oxford, including Larkrise Primary, St Francis C of E Primary, Rose Hill Primary, and Pegasus School in Blackbird Leys, have already integrated weekly farm study sessions into their curriculum, linking outdoor agricultural activities directly to Key Stage 1 and 2 science and geography learning goals.
The farm also serves as an inclusive social prescribing and therapeutic horticulture sanctuary, hosting specialized weekly gardening sessions for adults recovering from mental health challenges, neurodivergent youth, and local seniors experiencing social isolation.
Councillor Imogen Thomas, Oxford City Council Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Inclusive Economy, attended the ribbon-cutting and commended the farm’s grassroots impact. “Oxford City Farm is a shining example of community-powered climate action and inclusive education,” Cllr Thomas remarked. “It empowers our children with practical ecological knowledge, builds local food resilience, and strengthens neighborhood bonds in the heart of East Oxford.”
The farm is open to the public every Saturday for community volunteer workdays, family nature trails, and seasonal farmers’ markets.
