The Art Farm Project started in 2003, when a group of artists in Teignbridge, South Devon, responded to the opportunity to use redundant farm buildings and farm land at Middle Rocombe Farm, an organic farm near Newton Abbot, Devon. The original idea was to create a contemporary visual arts event with enough scale, energy and momentum to be inspiring for the artists involved and also to attract a wide audience and significant media attention. In June 2003, the artists set up the organization - the Art Farm Project - to prepare for and manage the event. The Project has been artist led from the start. Artists take responsibility for all major functions in preparing for the event - including curating, marketing, site preparation, education.

The first Event was held 6-14 Sept 2003 (poster 2003) and attracted over 3,000 enthusiastic visitors and a wide range of media coverage.

The second Art Farm Project took place 11 - 19 Sept 2004 (poster 2004). It built on the success of 2003 and received 3,500 visitors and more media attention. BBC and BBC and Sunday Times
From the outset, the Project has been active in the growing Arts, Agriculture and Regeneration debate. In 2004, it commissioned arts researcher and consultant, Deborah Harrison, to do a first mapping of art on farm projects in the South West (Arts on Farms SW 04)
The Project is committed to sharing its experience. There is a also a report by Caroline Pringle, 2004 Project Coordinator, on how the 2004 Art Farm Project was organized - (How We Do It).
The Project has also been a powerful force for developing artist networks in South Devon (particularly in Teignbridge and Torbay). There are more than 60 artists who have now participated in Art Farm Projects. In 2003, few of these artists knew each other or had worked together. Now there is a a large group of artists who have shared experience, out of which several new artists initiatives have resulted and a much stronger arts community. There is quite a ripple effect after each event, with artists being contacted directly or through the website for further sales and commissions.

From the outset, the Project has been active in the growing Arts, Agriculture and Regeneration debate. In 2004, it commissioned arts researcher and consultant, Deborah Harrison, to do a first mapping of art on farm projects in the South West (Arts on Farms SW 04) For the 2006 Project, artists were invited in June 2005 to propose new work in response to the site itself - Middle Rocombe Farm. Outside selectors (Louise Short and Andrew Cross) were engaged to review the proposals and make selections. The result was an exciting range of new site inspired work by 27 artists across most media - painting, sculpture, land art, ceramics, photography, film, textiles and more. In the cowshed, milking parlour, shippen, barns and out in the fields. In addition, there were two group works - Earth Spiral and Cob Wall and Turret.