Plants For A Future is a resource centre for rare and unusual plants, particularly those which have edible, medicinal or other uses. We practise vegan-organic permaculture with an emphasis on creating an ecologically sustainable environment using perennial plants. We provide extensive information on 9,300 useful temperate species of plants and 13,500 tropical plants.
We are a small environmental group, run entirely by volunteers, that was established in 1989 when a 28-acre barley field in Cornwall was purchased as a place to demonstrate the many uses of plants. Since then, an extensive native woodland has been planted and many hundreds of species of edible and otherwise useful plants are also being grown. The original plan was also to develop a community of harmonious humans on the Land… but things never quite go to plan, with planning issues etc. … yet it could still happen!
We actively welcome people who want to come and stay for up to 2 weeks with us as volunteers. This is a great opportunity to both immerse yourself in Nature, and also to learn about the useful plants. You may also get the opportunity to swim in the local tidal creek, and join a Yoga or Ki-Aikido class!
We have recently received some funding to help us upgrade facilities, though this is taking longer than anticipated! We now have electricity, internet, and warm showers, as well as compost toilets. If you visit, there may be a caravan available for you to stay in, or you may need to camp. We have an agricultural shed that houses most of the main facilities, such as a cooking and rest area. As well as creating better facilities for volunteers and members, we also intend to run classes and courses on useful plants, yoga, health and healing, and other related subjects.
Any offers of help with work on facilities will be gratefully appreciated! (but of course, visitors are not obliged to do so!)
We are also looking for like-minded people who care passionately about Mother Earth, and want to live in harmony with her. For any form of community to develop, it is also important that we look within ourselves to find ways of working harmoniously with other human beings. Our modern world is so full of wars, conflict, destruction of Nature and disrespect to other humans who may be “different” to how we see ourselves. I feel that a better society comes from not so much fighting the status quo, but in making the changes within ourselves to create a better, more open and caring society, and finding others who want to do the same. And I do feel that some of the Indigenous groups that still exist have much to teach us!
We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, genders and sexualities.
