Welcome to this network of smallholders, kitchen gardeners and all kinds of people interested in smaller-scale planet-friendly food production. Please jump in, say hello, connect with old friends and make new ones.

Our network is a rich resource for learning about smallholding, making contacts, swapping ideas and helping each other. Between us we have a wealth of experience, whether we're diggers, dreamers, thinkers or all three.

If you're new here, we have a section just for you - scroll down the home page. And click the Notes tab above for some "how-to" information about this network and to see our community guidelines. (If you're thinking of joining, please note that membership is moderated to avoid spam, so approval may not be immediate, depending on availability of the network administrators.)

We're very glad you've joined. Here are a few of the things you can do next to help you get the most out of the network:

Add a photo to your profile. It's amazing how much difference this simple step makes in emphasising that we're a network of human beings, not cyborgs, and it's very easy: click here to find out how.

Introduce yourself. Go to our ongoing discussion thread called, appropriately enough, "Introductions" and tell us a few things about yourself. Mind gone blank? For starters, how about your reasons for joining the network, your favourite breakfast and one random fact about yourself.

Post some photos of your smallholding or garden.

Join a special interest group. We have a group for almost every subject: bees, chickens, goats, people looking for land, food and cooking, small ads to name only a few. Don't find the group for you? Start one.

Read our community guidelines, which are simple, straightforward and promote a good experience of this network for all our members.

Queries or suggestions? Please address them to me, Tess. Leave a comment on my wall or send me a private message.