Poppy Okotcha

Poppy Okotcha is an ecological home grower, trained horticulturist and environmentalist who inspires audiences to reconnect with the land and engage meaningfully with the natural world. A qualified Permaculture Designer trained by the Royal Horticultural Society and Martin Crawford, she has presented Channel 4's Great Gardening Revolution, appeared on BBC's Gardeners' World, and advocates passionately for nature as a fundamental human right. With her gardening memoir 'A Wilder Way' and an accessible gardening festival launching in 2026, Poppy equips organisations and individuals with practical knowledge to grow food sustainably, live more consciously, and foster healthier relationships with nature and community.

After years modelling for luxury brands including Vivienne Westwood and Chloé, Poppy Okotcha stepped away from international fashion in 2016 to focus on something far more grounded: learning how to grow her own food. What began as a personal search for nutrient-dense produce and a slower, more intentional way of living quickly evolved into a profound exploration of the relationship between healthy environments, nourishing food, and human wellbeing. That shift marked the beginning of a new career rooted in horticulture, permaculture, and environmental advocacy, one that has since reached thousands through media, education, and community action.

Poppy trained with the Royal Horticultural Society and studied alongside Martin Crawford, creator of England's oldest food forest, qualifying as a Permaculture Designer in 2019. Her work in community gardens across London and later in Devon has been guided by organic, no-dig principles that reflect her belief in working with nature rather than against it. As an ambassador for Nature Is a Human Right, she champions the idea that access to green space and the natural world is not a luxury but a fundamental right, offering powerful connections to culture, land, and one another. Her expertise has led to regular contributions to the Royal Horticultural Society podcast, features on BBC's Gardeners' World, and her role fronting Channel 4's Great Gardening Revolution, where she transforms outdoor spaces of all scales and purposes. Now based in Devon with greater growing space and closer ties to sustainably run farms and community gardens, Poppy continues to expand her influence through new projects, including her forthcoming gardening memoir 'A Wilder Way', a gardening calendar, and an accessible gardening festival, all launching in 2026. She is also developing a new Create Academy course set to begin in September 2026.

Poppy helps audiences reconnect with the land in practical, achievable ways, whether they have a balcony, a backyard, or acres to cultivate. She teaches individuals and organisations how to grow food sustainably, forage responsibly, and live more consciously through small, meaningful actions. Her approach is rooted in accessibility and inclusion, particularly as a young Black woman advocating for greater representation in horticulture and environmental spaces. Through her speaking engagements, Poppy equips people with the knowledge and confidence to take their first steps towards ecological living, fostering healthier relationships with food, nature, and community. Her message is clear: reconnection to the natural world is not only possible, it is transformative.