To support fairness and diversity in horticulture, Grow More Growers uses a reserved-places lottery. This means 50% of places in each lottery are reserved for applicants from backgrounds that are currently under-represented in UK horticulture, and 50% are open to everyone else. Selection within each group is random (a lottery), and the process is run transparently.

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Which protected characteristics are used (for this pilot only)

For the purposes of the reserved-places lotteries, you are treated as “from an under-represented background” if you self-identify as having any of the following protected characteristics:

• Age: 18–40 (≤40)

• Disability: self-reported disability

• Gender identity (gender reassignment): your gender identity is different from the sex assigned at birth

• Race / ethnicity: from a racially or ethnically minoritised background (including BPOC)

• Sex: not male

• Sexual orientation (sexuality): LGBTQ+

(These align with protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.) (Legislation.gov.uk)

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Why we use these characteristics

We use these characteristics only to deliver our equity commitment: to increase participation of groups that are under-represented in farming and horticulture and to help remove barriers to entry. UK guidance and equality law allow proportionate “positive action” measures to reduce disadvantage and increase participation for people who share a protected characteristic. (GOV.UK)

We are doing this because national data shows farming remains dominated by older men (for example, in England 84% of principal farmers/holders are male). (GOV.UK) Research also shows many LGBTQ+ people in agriculture-related sectors are not open at work, which can be a barrier to participation and progression. (GOV.UK)

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What this means in practice

• Sharing this information is voluntary and based on self-declaration.

• It is used only to run the two parallel lotteries (reserved places / open places).

• It is not used to judge “merit,” and it does not affect your right to decline any match at any stage.

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Further useful resources

https://landinournames.community/projects/rootz-into-food-growing