Safer spaces on our farm

At Sutton Community Farm, our vision has always been about more than just growing delicious, seasonal produce. Our mission is to nourish people, nurture the planet and cultivate a community where everyone feels valued and welcome.

To reinforce this commitment, we are launching our Safer Spaces Agreement— a guiding framework designed to ensure our farm remains a space where all people, regardless of their background, feel comfortable and respected.

A step in the continuous journey towards equity

The idea for this agreement emerged from our ongoing efforts to foster inclusivity and challenge systemic inequalities within our community. In 2020, we began a journey of learning about anti-racism, covering topics of white supremacist work cultures and unconscious bias, and reflecting on our own identities and privilege. Through peer learning groups and team-wide discussions, we recognised that meaningful change requires continuous effort. The Safer Spaces Agreement is an important step in this journey.

In order to co-create a more equitable community, we need to hear from you. Please fill out this anonymous form to share your feedback, thoughts and ideas. As this is anonymous, we will not be able to follow up directly with any individual, but every response will be reviewed and taken into consideration. You can also share your thoughts on paper – forms are attached to the noticeboard next to the community bookshelf.
 

The Safer Spaces Agreement

This agreement is a simple set of principles that we ask everyone at the farm to embrace:

1. Remember that we all come to the farm from different backgrounds and experiences. Some people may feel more comfortable and able to be themselves here than others.
2. Keep an open mind and respect each other’s identities. Seek to build understanding, rather than judging others’ abilities or views.
3. Be open to feedback. Sometimes our words and actions can be harmful without us knowing, or intending any harm – that’s OK, if we are prepared to reflect and remedy.

Why is this important?

The farming and environmental sectors have long struggled with diversity and inclusion. Historically, these spaces have been predominantly white, with limited access and representation for marginalized communities. By actively working to change our culture, we aim to:

• Make the farm more welcoming and accessible to people from all backgrounds.
• Address unconscious bias in recruitment and decision-making.
• Improve communication and create an environment where difficult but necessary conversations can happen with care and respect.
• Build a stronger, more resilient organization that benefits from diverse perspectives and experiences.

Concrete steps we’ve taken so far

Our journey toward a more inclusive farm community has included:

• Recruitment changes to reduce unconscious bias, such as using application forms instead of cover letters and supporting flexible working arrangements.
• Training sessions on difficult conversations to equip staff and volunteers with the confidence to navigate complex discussions around race, gender, and differing viewpoints.
• Establishing a caring team to support the well-being of both staff and volunteers, through mental health training, access to therapy, and well-being check-ins.
• Developing non-hierarchical ways of working that empower individuals at all levels to contribute ideas and shape the direction of the farm.

What’s next?

The launch of the Safer Spaces Agreement is just one step in our ongoing journey. Here are the next steps we’ll take:

• Introducing this agreement into staff and volunteer inductions so that inclusivity is embedded from the very beginning.
• Continuing to provide training and support for handling difficult conversations and fostering a culture of care.
• Gathering feedback from our community to ensure the agreement remains relevant and effective.
• Securing funding for further development and action.

Join us in cultivating a safer space

Building an inclusive culture is a collective effort. We invite all volunteers, staff, and community members to engage with this agreement, reflect on how we interact with one another, and contribute to making our farm a space where everyone feels they belong.

How do you feel as part of our farm community? What ideas do you have to celebrate our diverse perspectives and actively welcome those who have less access to farm spaces? We’d love to hear your thoughts so that we can co-create a more equitable community. 

Please fill out this anonymous form to share your feedback, thoughts and ideas. As this is anonymous, we will not be able to follow up directly with any individual, but every response will be reviewed and taken into consideration. You can also share your thoughts on paper – forms are attached to the noticeboard next to the community bookshelf.
 

Topics you may want to explore further

Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias refers to the stereotypes and assumptions we hold about people without realizing it. These biases are shaped by our experiences and societal norms and can impact how we interact with others. By recognizing and addressing unconscious bias, we can create a fairer and more welcoming farm environment.

• Understanding unconscious bias | The Royal Society
• The Implicit Association Test (IAT)
  • The Implicit Association Test (IAT) attempts to measure attitudes and beliefs that people may be unwilling or unable to report. The IAT may be especially interesting if it shows that you have an implicit attitude that you did not know about.

Systems of Oppression

Systems of oppression are structures in society that disadvantage certain groups while privileging others. These systems include racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination. By understanding these systems, we can work to dismantle them and create an equitable community.

• https://egale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Systems-of-Oppression-and-Privilege-Definitions.pdf 
• https://www.nationalequityproject.org/frameworks/lens-of-systemic-oppression

Marginalisation

Marginalisation happens when certain groups of people are pushed to the edges of society and excluded from full participation. This can occur due to race, gender, disability, or other factors. Our goal is to ensure that no one at the farm experiences marginalization.

• https://www.liberties.eu/en/stories/marginalization-and-being-marginalized/43767

White Supremacist Culture

White supremacist culture refers to the set of norms, behaviours, and structures that prioritise white perspectives and ways of operating, often unconsciously. Traits like defensiveness, fear of open conflict, and a sense of urgency can reinforce exclusion. By identifying and addressing these traits, we can build a more inclusive farm.

• https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/ 
• Layla Saad on Her Book ‘Me and White Supremacy’ | NowThis

Intersectionality

Intersectionality is the concept that people experience multiple overlapping forms of discrimination or privilege based on their race, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and other identities. Acknowledging intersectionality helps us understand the complexity of oppression and ensure our farm is truly inclusive.

• https://www.britannica.com/topic/intersectionality 
• The urgency of intersectionality | Kimberlé Crenshaw | TED

Privilege

Privilege refers to unearned advantages that certain people have due to their social identity, such as race, gender, or class. Recognizing privilege allows us to support those who may not have the same advantages and work toward a fairer environment.

• https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really 
• https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/why-its-important-to-think-about-privilege-and-why/ 
• Sayce Holmes-Lewis explains what happened when he was pulled over by the police