Our mission

Our mission is to be a welcoming urban farm that serves as a community hub, connecting people with their food, each other and an accessible green space to grow food and nourish the wellbeing of our local community and our environment. We are committed to:

Engaging people of all ages with food, farming, and nature by providing diverse educational opportunities

Connecting people and communities to promote personal growth, social connections, and improved wellbeing
Increasing access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food while reducing food waste through sustainable farming practices and community-based initiatives.
Building strong partnerships and community networks to enhance community cohesion, organisational capacity and support our long-term vision of an empowered, resilient, and healthy community.

In pursuit of this mission, we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where individuals can learn, grow, and thrive with one another, fostering a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of food, health, and the environment.

Our values

We value diversity, equality, empowerment, community cohesion and sustainability. We value the diversity of our local neighbourhoods and recognise the contribution that all members of the community can offer. We strive to work creatively to ensure equality of opportunity for all. We aim to work in ways that empower people to work together to make positive sustainable change in their communities.

Our story

A committed team of trustees, volunteers and staff have been working to bring city farming to Oxford since 2008. We are a diverse group of local people with broad skills and experience in areas such as health, youth work, planning, community development, teaching, training, fundraising, horticulture, ecology and veterinary medicine.

In 2017 we secured a 40 year lease for the site and, thanks to support from a wide variety of Funders and our wonderful community we now have essential infrastructure including mains water, electricity, toilets, hand washing facilities, an office and since the spring of 2021 our fantastic Community Kitchen.

We started running regular community farming days in 2017 to enable our community to get involved with the work of the farm, in particular developing infrastructure and supporting growing. We have also developed partnerships with schools and other organisations to increase participation in our work and to introduce more people to the farm.

Our team

A committed team of trustees, volunteers and staff have been working to bring city farming to Oxford since 2008. We are a diverse group of local people with broad skills and experience in areas such as health, youth work, planning, community development, teaching, training, fundraising, horticulture, ecology and veterinary medicine.

In 2017 we secured a 40 year lease for the site and, thanks to support from a wide variety of Funders and our wonderful community we now have essential infrastructure including mains water, electricity, toilets, hand washing facilities, an office and since the spring of 2021 our fantastic Community Kitchen.

We started running regular community farming days in 2017 to enable our community to get involved with the work of the farm, in particular developing infrastructure and supporting growing. We have also developed partnerships with schools and other organisations to increase participation in our work and to introduce more people to the farm.

Our trustees

Our Board of Trustees includes 12 amazing people from all sorts of backgrounds—strategic development, community outreach, education, health and safety, marketing, fundraising, and more. They bring a mix of expertise and enthusiasm to help guide Oxford City Farm’s vision and values. Each month, they meet up with our Farm Lead, Nicole, to catch up on goals, check off actions from the last meeting, and dive into updates from specific teams working on things like education, site development, fundraising, and community engagement.

Here’s a little about our Trustees and their areas of expertise:

Cath Wilson (Co-Chair) – Cath co-leads the board with David Kay and is our HR go-to, helping us with policies and team support.
Lucy Davies (Interim Co-Chair)– Our former chairperson continues to bring her experience of strategy, fundraising, and the charity sector to keep us moving forward.
David Kay (Co-Chair - leave of absence)- Co-leads the board, David brings knowledge of the food industry and trading laws to our team.
Eliza Ader (Secretary) – With her background in environmental projects, Eliza is a pro at project management and fundraising.
Martin Reed (Treasurer) – Martin keeps our finances in shape and makes sure our books stay balanced.
Lucy Davies – Our former chairperson continues to bring her experience of strategy, fundraising, and the charity sector to keep us moving forward.
Nick Rose – Nick is an educator and one of our founding members, always focusing on health and safety.
Jane Fisher – Jane supports local community building and has a background in trauma counselling.
Catherine McCosker – Catherine lends her farming expertise from both the USA and UK.
Dot Tiwari – Dot is all about partnerships and food justice.
Ellie Dent – Ellie brings her professional experience in food and drink branding, marketing, and creative communications.
Miriam Iqbal – Miriam’s expertise in community health and youth mental health makes her a valuable part of the team.

Our staff

Farm Operations

Farm Lead - Nicole Titera (0.8 FTE)
As Farm Lead, Nicole oversees Oxford City Farm’s strategic direction, fundraising efforts, team development, communications, regulatory compliance, stakeholder relationships, financial management, and engagement with the Board of Trustees.

Nicole joined Oxford City Farm as Farm Lead in February 2022, bringing over 13 years of experience in project management across the not-for-profit and local government sectors. With her background in capacity development and management roles, she is committed to inclusive and participatory leadership, guiding the farm’s recent growth and renewal of its theory of change.

Community Kitchen Manager - Sophia Stewart Liberty (0.4 FTE)
Sophia directs our kitchen programs, delivering hands-on cooking sessions and fostering a love for local food.

Farm Activity Facilitator (Wellbeing Wednesday and Little Wellies) - Louise Hall (0.4 FTE)
Louise leads various farm-based activities, promoting well-being and learning through hands-on experiences.

Farm Activity Facilitator - (Wellies & Bellies) - Emma Hood (0.24 FTE)
Emma runs our Wellies & Bellies programme, creating a welcoming environment for marginalised adults to connect with farm life.

Community Grower (Schools)
Phil Pritchard (0.8 FTE)
Phil leads our school-based initiatives, guiding children in learning about sustainable food production and nature.

Community Grower (Market Garden and Animal Lead) - Bradley Soule (0.8 FTE)
Bradley manages both our animal husbandry and vegetable production. He leads our goat milking programme and oversees crop cultivation, growing vegetables for sale and community donations.

Organisational Support

Finance and Project Administrator
Tony Lingard (0.26 FTE)
Tony manages our financial records and supports various projects, ensuring efficient operations.

Communications and Events Coordinator
Charis Sharpe (0.4 FTE)
Charis handles all things communications, from social media to events, keeping our community informed and engaged.

Volunteer Development Coordinator
Ciddy Gray (0.6 FTE)
Ciddy recruits, manages rotas, and supports our volunteers, enhancing their experience and the farm’s capacity.

Maintenance and Handyman
Tim Farrant (0.16 FTE/6 hours per week)
Tim keeps our farm safe and functional, taking care of maintenance needs around the site.

Our vision is an empowered community where individuals of all ages and backgrounds are working and learning together to produce food locally and live healthy, enriched, and sustainable lives.