Community Growing

Using Land for Community-Owned Allotments, Orchards and Farms

Background - The Opportunity

PACT was established in recognition of a lack of planning for uncertainties we expect to face in the future over energy, climate change and financial instability.

Food production will be a key issue if our world food markets, transport and climate change result in existing food chains being broken or diminished, and food shortages will have immediate effects on the UK population.

Food - especially vegetables and fruit - can be grown in relatively small areas, and by growing in layers as found in poly-culture (and permaculture) where crops mimic natural growth with a lot of variety in the same area, then maximum cropping is achievable without using oil-based fertilisers or pesticides.

Local Councils have land which is often unused for years and may be suitable for community use growing crops. Farmers may also sell or rent small amounts of land, or be instrumental in helping with growing field crops.

Project Proposal

• To obtain land for growing crops
• To buy tools, seeds, fruit stock and sheds and greenhouse / polytunnels for growing crops
• To educate in sustainable methods of horticulture

Benefits / Deliverables

Key benefits of this project would include:

• Health improvement through activity (mental, emotional and physical)
• Learning new sustainable skills, including potential to offer courses in skills such as composting methods, pruning etc.
• Community building & volunteering opportunities
• Food grown sustainably
• Opportunity to take a share of the harvests
• Possibility of expanding into selling surpluses, giving out recipe sheets, and ultimately having a cafe to sell the crops and provide fresh healthy food

Projected Costs

Initial project costs of Project Officer part time 1-2 days a week for one year at £25k p.a. pro rata

Estimated additional costs of travel and admin: £1k

Tools: £2k (6 of spades, forks, rakes & hand tools, wheelbarrows, pots, mower, rotovator, buckets etc.)

Seeds: £300

Outbuildings for storage & shelter: £8k

Polytunnel: £2k

Fruit stocks: £1k

Total £13,300 (plus Project Officer/ travel = £18,300)

Potential Partners

• Local charities
• Local schools
• Local organisations e.g. Mind
• Local community

December 2010