Poppy Okotcha

Poppy Okotcha is a trained horticulturist and regenerative grower, on a mission to inspire people to engage with and connect to the natural world.

With her joyful Instagram content, poppy teaches people how to grow and forage their own food, whilst living and eating consciously - for personal, community and planetary health. As a young black woman, Poppy also advocates for those who are underrepresented and marginalised in the world of horticulture and environmentalism.

Poppy’s successful modelling career began in 2014 (she has worked with brands like Vivienne Westwood and Chloe), but in 2016, exhausted by work and international travel, her focus turned to her garden - and to learning how to grow her own good quality, nutrient-dense, food. She began to think more deeply about the connection between healthy environments, healthy food, and, indeed, healthier (happier) people, and decided to train as a horticulturist. 

In 2016 Poppy began her horticulture studies with the Royal Horticultural Society, and spent time working with a number of community gardens in London. She also studied alongside Martin Crawford, the creator of the oldest “food forest” in England, qualifying in 2019 as a Permaculture Designer. 

Poppy has been featured on Gardeners’ World (BBC2), and is a regular contributor to the Royal Horticultural Society podcast. 

She recently relocated to Devon, where she has more growing space to work with, and more links to a landscape of established, sustainably run farms and community gardens.