Indian-born Mehr Fardoonji was one of earliest organic market gardeners in the UK.

It was in Gandhi's Ashram, where she worked in the 1950s, that Mehr first discovered Sir Albert Howard's An Agricultural Testament'. She became convinced that land was the basis of life and organic farming the only way to the health of land and people.

Mehr took her ideals to Vinoba Bhave's land gift movement, living for four years in a Bhoodan village in the foothills of the Himalayas.

At 29, Mehr returned to England, where she had been schooled, working in three different market gardens to gain experience.

In 1962 Mehr gained the opportunity to step out on her own when her brother bought her a four-acre plot of land in Malpas, Cheshire.

Mehr initially grew vegetables on her own, supplementing her income by teaching in adult education, but after a year she employed a local 15-year-old boy straight from school. Peter stayed working at Oakcroft until 2005.

Over its 45 years, many people have volunteered to work, usually for a year or even more, and learnt about organic market gardening.

Kerry Channing, 35, was born and spent a good deal of his youth at Oakcroft. He recalled: "I would help out by watering, weeding, picking for market day and making the compost, which is the cornerstone of any working market garden.

"Chester Indoor Market on a Thursday was the main income source for the garden, Mehr also taught Yoga and in the summer we sold strawberries in the lay-by. Oakcroft has never been a cutthroat commercial organisation - subsistence and survival was really the main deal but the relatively recent resurgence of farmers markets and popularity of organic food has seen it become a productive business."

Mehr, who lives in the on-site house, has now chosen to retire.

She is now seeking a very special person or group of people to whom she can pass down her legacy.

The land at Oakcroft is precious to Mehr and she wants it to remain organic, and viable, for example growing fruit and vegetables for local box schemes and farmers markets etc.

To be considered you must be vegetarian, non-smoking, have a basic knowledge of business and some capital to help in times of need or invest in improvements. Knowledge of organic horticulture is necessary and Mehr would be happy to assist in some way. Passion for the organic way of life is essential.

The garden has carried the Soil Association symbol from its beginning and will eventually be given to the Soil Association Land Trust, so as to remain organic in perpetuity. However The Trust will keep on any tenant who is at Oakcroft and continuing the work Mehr has begun.

The successful applicant would spend an initial trial period of six months. After this period, whether or not to continue with the lease can be mutually decided.

For more information about Oakcroft log on to www.oakcroft.org.uk