Terra franca

– 6 properties under negotiation
– 10 farmers willing to start working on those properties
– Creation of a fund to finance land rental, in partnership with COOP57, a Cooperative of Financial Services (in planning phase)

Terra franca started in 2012 as a joint project bringing together organisations and individuals united by a common concern: finding innovative solutions to address access to land issues in Catalonia. The instigators were a heterogeneous group of people: some university-based; others from the Catalan ethical/ sustainable consumers’ movement; from the farming sector or from the social agroecology movement.

Terra franca means “free land” and “open land”. It is a reference to the idea of freeing the land so as to facilitate access for peasants. It also evokes Medieval times when farmland in certain areas was exempt from certain taxes and tributes so as to facilitate establishment of farmers and repopulation of the land.

The activity of the School of Shepherds of Catalonia has an important role in the birth of this group. The experience of the School’s students and teachers, highlighted the fact that the problem of access to land is a major obstacle for people who, having received adequate training, want to start their own professional career.

Terra franca has identified the following situations:

• Those with a need for land:
  – People with or without a farming background, who want to start their own agroecological farm.
  – Social organisations and groups seeking an adequate framework to develop social projects through agricultural activities.
  – Consumer groups.

• Those able to offer land:
  – Farmers, owning their land, who retire from farming with no successor.
  – Owners who wish to reorient their production model.
  – Other types of landowners, public or private who want to change the farming model, or develop agroecological farms.

Terra franca also receives enquiries from citizens who want to know what they can do as citizens, and are seeking information, guidance or training.

Terra Franca positions itself as an intermediary and facilitator between landowners and farmers. It does not want to buy land, but to rent it or acquire it through donations. It aims at signing long-term stewardship agreements with landowners, so as to guarantee them an optimum use of the land. It will then sub-let, on a long term basis, to prospective farmers whose projects meet the contract requirements in terms of land stewardship, as well as the overall objectives of Terra Franca. Terra Franca will also support the farmers in achieving their objectives. Part of its role as a go-between will also be to negotiate a fair price for the land for all the parties involved.

Terra Franca is a non-profit association established in 2013. Terra Franca’s headquarters are in Barcelona.

– Preserving land for socially, environmentally and economically fair agricultural activity.
– Facilitating land access for individuals and organisations who are engaged in long-term, viable, agroecological projects.
– Addressing all the needs and expectations of the owners with a responsible and benevolent interpretation of land as a commons.
– Training and supporting farmers starting out in agroecological projects.
– Claiming the use of disused public spaces by undertaking their management.
– Influencing current policies to encourage a change of agricultural model.
– Promoting and raising awareness of the dignity of the farming profession.

Terra Franca is still a project managed by volunteers.

Terra franca has been contacted by over 50 prospective farmers, seeking land in Catalonia. Furthermore, Terra Franca is currently negotiating with about 10 land owners to reach an agreement enabling farmers to gain access to land.