__Tell us who you are and what you do?

I'm Anna Greenland - an organic vegetable grower and gardener living in Suffolk. I've spent most of my career growing produce for chefs - a highlight was running Raymond Blanc's kitchen garden at Le Manoir. I'm now in the process of setting up my own market gardens here in Suffolk where I plan to focus on education and run courses and classes to inspire people to grow and cook delicious food.

__What is your relationship to the British countryside?
__

I've always been a country girl at heart. I grew up in the Essex countryside and was always outside as a child; always appreciative of the shift in seasons. My Dad was a fantastic home cook and both my parents had an allotment so I was aware of the connection from garden to plate at a young age. In my twenties I left London and a career as a model to move to Cornwall. I never felt settled in the city. I was craving a more rural existence. That's where I started growing my own food and a whole new path opened up.

I now feel more connected to the British countryside than ever through foraging and learning about all the wonderful edible wild plants of the UK. It adds a whole new dimension to going for a walk as there is nearly always some treat to be found in the hedgerows, along the coast or in the forest.

__What is your connection to Suffolk?
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I spent a lot of time along the coast at Walberswick and Southwold as a child. My husband is also a Suffolk man and did the same. But it was the project that we're now working on that brought us here as opposed to returning to any roots, still I'm so glad we have. We have been restoring an old threshing barn for the past 4 years which we spotted in one of our many late night 'Rightmove' searches whilst on the hunt some years ago! We have recently moved in at last. The next stage is to start developing the gardens here.

Every day that goes by I feel more connected to Suffolk through my work with this piece of land. It's a privilege to be its custodian.

__How can people connect with the natural world?
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It could be as simple as going for regular walks. Even in cities there are parks, trees and the natural world is all around. Observing the changing seasons makes you feel more connected and grounded.

However, I'm biassed and I think 'growing your own' is one of the best ways. Sowing your own seeds, tending them, watching them grow; making compost; putting your hands in the earth; encouraging wildlife into your space...all these things offer the ultimate connection for me. There are countless community gardens, Community Supported Agriculture projects and urban growing schemes across the country so even if you have no garden you can get involved.

__In what ways does clothing help you do your job?
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Gardening is a physical job and its really important to be comfortable and wearing the right gear. Outdoor workwear has been traditionally designed for men, so it used to be a struggle for me to find clothes to work in. Luckily now there is more choice.

__What is important to you when choosing clothing for outdoors?
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I've realised quality is important as these clothes get a lot of wear and tear and I want something to last. Naturally I'd want something to keep me warm in the winter months as it can get pretty cold at times!

Pockets are also important for all the things you accumulate throughout the day - seeds, bits of string, tape measures, my knife, it's endless.

I also don't think if you're working outside you have to abandon any sense of style! If you're someone that enjoys clothes then you should embrace that in the garden too - you shouldn't have to compromise been practicality and style.

__Did you know Lavenham before this?
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I didn't but I'm so glad I've found them. It's always special to find local brands that I love.

__What do you think of the Lavenham brand and products?
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They tick the above boxes for me. Wearing the jackets and gilets felt really comfortable and they look great. I'm converted.

Anna Greenland is an organic grower at the heart of the organic growing movement. You can learn more about her work [here](https://www.annagreenland.co.uk/) and purchase her new book ‘Grow Easy’.