Growing Interest: a flavour of community growing in Scotland

1. Faifly
Dundee
Johnstone
Dumbarton
Islay
Gorgie
Coatbridge
Nairn
Lunnasting
Kippen
Kelvinbridge
Hamiltonhill
growing in Scotland
Redhall
a flavour of community
Scottish Community Diet Project 2002
Stirling
Lochalsh
Stornaway
Growing Interest :

3. Growing Interest :
a flavour of community growing in Scotland

4. Acknowledgements
The Scottish Community Diet Project would like to acknowledge the many contributions that have resulted in
‘Growing Interest: a flavour of community growing in Scotland’
The need for such a publication arose from SCDP’s contact with a number of local and national agencies, particularly
the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, without whose collaboration this publication would never
have come about. As well as contributing the section ‘Creating a Community Growing Project’, the Federation have
acted as consultants (unpaid!) on the entire undertaking.
Having recognised the need for such a publication, SCDP were delighted when David Black of Communicable Health
agreed to take on the task of producing ‘Growing Interest’. David’s depth of knowledge of public health, his track
record of producing practical and accessible publications, and his genuine enthusiasm for the topic are all reflected in
the final product.
We were delighted when Scotland’s Food and Health Co-ordinator agreed, at quite short notice, to contribute her
‘vision of a growing society’.
However, ‘Growing Interest’ would be of no interest whatsoever without the contribution of all those local projects
who gave up their time to share their experience with the rest of the country.
Finally SCDP would like to thank colleagues in the Scottish Consumer Council for all their support.
ISBN 0-907067-88-3
Further copies of this publication are available from:
Scottish Community Diet Project
c/o Scottish Consumer Council,
Royal Exchange House,
100 Queen Street
Glasgow, G1 3DN
0141 226 5261
dcameron@scotconsumer.org.uk
www.dietproject.org.uk

5. Contents
Vision for a Growing Society Page 5
Background Page 6
City Farms Page 10
Community Gardens Page 12
School Growing Projects Page 14
Training and Therapy Projects Page 16
Allotments Page 18
Growing for Resale Page 20
Creating a Community Growing Project Page 22
Funding Page 26
Way to Go Page 29
Scottish Projects Page 30
References Page 31
Useful Contacts and Sources Page 32
Further Reading Page 35

6. Page 6 Growing Interest

7. Vision for a Growing Society
What we eat has a profound effect The World Health Organization in And you thought you were doing it
upon our health 2001 published an urban and ‘peri- all for the taste!
The Scottish Diet Action Plan was urban’ Food and Nutrition Action Growers will find that they can link
published in July 1996 in recognition Plan. In this it presented what it called into a wide array of activities within
of the effect of diet on our health. their communities, adding value to
The plan was a blueprint for action ‘…elements for community action to existing projects: food co-ops,
over the following decade and there promote social cohesion and reduce community farms, community cafes
was widespread recognition that it inequalities through local food and herb gardens. Growers can be an
would take the combined and production for local consumption.’ enormous asset to schools, disability
concerted efforts of everyone to turn resource centres, youth training
the Scottish diet around. It will take I think this is an exciting centres and a range of community
the nation to change the nation’s confirmation of the value of local projects. Growing projects
diet. All of us, in the public and in growing and of local growers. A themselves should find assistance,
the private sectors, in our work lives mandate and a call to action from the support and, potentially, funding by
and in our home lives, have a part to WHO. Its aim is to promote health linking to local authorities, NHS
play. and quality of life through joined-up Boards, local enterprise companies
approaches to food and nutrition and voluntary organisations.
A balanced and nutritious diet is policy in local communities. The
vital for health but how we choose to benefits of increasing the amount The most exciting potential for me is
make up that diet is also important. and the distribution of locally grown the impact that growing can have on
We need to consider (those of us food, especially fruits and vegetables, children’s attitudes and awareness of
lucky enough not to be living from are extolled. I believe these benefits the food they eat, the planet they live
hand to mouth and who have the are to be gained whether you are on and the people with whom they
freedom and capacity to choose) growing for yourself and your family, share their lives.
where the food comes from, how it is your community or your region. In
grown, how far it has travelled, and Scottish terms this means ‘That, my grumpy girls, is why you are
the environmental and social impact identifying, and shouting about, the going to turn off that telly and get out
of the food production system. How environmental, social, and direct and here and help me pull up these
we feed ourselves is important in so indirect economic benefits of dockens!’
many ways. boosting home production as well as
the health outcomes. Gillian Kynoch
Growing locally Scottish Food and Health
The products of the vegetable patch Growing, buying, and eating more Co-ordinator
or the orchard are so much more vegetables and fruits will reduce our
than the produce itself. Health, good risk of the ‘big three’, heart disease,
diet, exercise, food knowledge, bio- stroke and cancer, at the same time
diversity, that ‘look I made it myself!’ promoting a healthier environment
feeling, too often lost from our adult and sustainable development.
lives.
Vision for a Growing Society Page 7

8. Background
What this booklet is for booklet then gives a flavour of about the links between poor diet
This booklet forms an introduction community food growing projects and poor health. One result has
to community food growing in around the country. Other sections been the development of health
Scotland. It gives an overview of give advice on how to set up your promotion and education action
what’s happening in Scotland and own project, potential sources of aiming to change eating patterns
looks at some ideas that you may funding and information and
wish to translate into action. contacts. Poverty and access to food
Market power is concentrated in the
Work for this booklet began by Why food? big five supermarkets leading to
trying to find out how many You can’t open the paper or turn on many local shops being priced out
community food growing projects the TV these days without another of the market(2). More than seventy
there are in Scotland. The directory article about producing, selling or per cent of all food is now bought
of Scottish community food eating food. Slow food, fast food, through the six major Scottish
initiatives ‘Food in the Community’(1) cheap food and food shopping, food retailers (3) and local food shopping
listed 180 projects undertaking over poisoning, the lack of local (particularly in poorer areas) is
300 activities around food, but only production and as this is Scotland, scarce and expensive.
four per cent of those activities were lots of views about why Scots are
food growing. killing themselves with frying pans. Public health and food safety
This booklet is slightly different. issues
However a search of the databases of While it is also about food it is We are more aware than ever of the
the Scottish Community Diet Project essentially concerned with practical public health risks related to the
and the Federation of City Farms measures to improve food production of food, such as BSE,
and Community Gardens suggested production and access in local CJD and Foot and Mouth disease,
that more growing initiatives were in communities. and food poisoning incidents
existence and further exploration led related to food preparation and
to the information presented here. It is difficult to ignore the fact that storage.
Scotland has food related problems.
This booklet is not comprehensive, The main concerns could be Our growing ‘fast food’ culture
for it is in the nature of many summarised as follows: Basic food products are cheap, the
community organisations to change real profits come from food
or sometimes fade away. It should be • nutrition and health processing and retailing.
thought of as a snapshot of • poverty and access to food Consequently, pre-processed and
community growing activity and an • public health and food safety ‘fast’ foods have become the norm in
introduction to starting and issues, and society resulting in a loss of cooking
maintaining them. • our growing ‘fast food’ culture. and preparation skills. As Eric
Schlosser points out in ‘Fast Food
Shape of this booklet Nutrition and health Nation’(4)
The booklet starts by looking at the Concern about the effect of our diet
background to food and nutrition on our health isn’t recent or new. ‘The whole experience of buying fast
and why we need to change our food Over the past twenty years much food has become so routine, so
growing and eating practices. The more evidence has been gathered thoroughly unexceptional and
Page 8 Growing Interest

9. mundane, that it is now taken for food locally in Scotland. Before
granted, like brushing your teeth or looking at the projects it would be
stopping for a red light.’ useful to look at what support is
there and what are the outcomes
In an update of the old hippie maxim possible from the projects.
of ‘You are what you eat’ he points
out that; Policy framework
‘.. a nation’s diet can be more revealing Scotland has always had policies and
than its art or literature.’ laws around food production and
selling. These have a long history
What’s next? and in the early days were concerned
In terms of the history of humanity with the need for stable and self-
the recent changes in our diet have sufficient agricultural production.
taken place over a relatively short However by the time of the
time span, about 100-150 years. industrial revolution with the growth
These changes were driven by the of large towns and cities and
farming and industrial revolution associated developments in food
and the urbanisation of society. Most retailing these policies were about
of us now live in cities and have lost minimum quality standards and
the connection our forebears once adulteration. Nowadays with
had with the land. Increasingly food growing concerns about food, health
culture is influenced by what is on and social inclusion a new approach
supermarket shelves and advertised to public policy around food has
on television. been developed.
As a society we are now more aware ‘ Scotland is unusual in having a very
of the need to change our diet and carefully calculated, nutritionally-
the way in which we produce food. consistent food policy which was
We can see opportunities for change written with multi-disciplinary input
but these are against a backdrop of with health as its primary motivation.
an increasing level of centralisation The Scottish Diet Action Plan … was
of power over food production and pioneering by uniting in pursuit of
sale. This booklet does not argue long-term health improvements the
against the food industry or initially disparate (and some opposed)
supermarkets. What the booklet interests of the entire ‘food network’:
hopes to show is that communities farmers, fishermen, food processors,
can take back some control over food retailers, caterers, educators, health
and what they eat and through this services and media, as well as
take away some of the power of the consumers. The SDAP represents a
food industry to tell us what we want remarkable consensus between these
to eat. However it is not simply disciplines. All agreed to support every
about food, it is about supporting aspect of the plan.’ (5)
and building stronger communities
through successful and fun action at The Scottish Diet Action Plan(6) was
local level. continued by the new Labour
Government in 1997 and the
There are a huge range of Scottish Parliament is further
opportunities for growing healthy developing it.
Background Page 9

10. One of the nine areas identified in their community or the country as a support ... they have the option of doing
the SDAP as being key to a healthier whole. What they do make, is the part of the labour intensive work needed
Scotland is that of local community fundamental contribution of their ... healthy food is produced locally at cost
action. Over the past twenty years skills and knowledge to an ongoing price with no intermediaries ’ (9)
there has been a range of community national strategy to tackling
action around food and health. It Scotland’s unacceptable inequalities Earthshare believes that the
could be argued that these actions in diet and health. Community Supported Agriculture
have helped the development of approach that they use helps build
policy ideas around Health and What can we get from strong communities and that this is
Social Inclusion. The contribution of community growing? reflected in their levels of subscriber
community development and in Over the past 10 years there has support.
particular community food initiatives been a developing interest in small
have been recognised in Scottish scale food growing in cities, around How we found the projects
policies on health, social inclusion the world this can be seen in an There has not yet been a specific
and rural development. international context in the work of audit of Scottish community growing
the United Nations around Urban projects and this publication has
Community action Agriculture(7) and nationally by the grown from a ‘scoping exercise’ using
As well as working in collaborative work of Sustain(8) and the Federation contacts from both the SCDP, and the
and inclusive ways, local community of City Farms and Community Federation of City Farms, databases
projects are very good at developing Gardens. to find out what is happening at the
innovative approaches to local moment. The databases provided the
problems. Food grown in cities in the third contact list for a series of exploratory
world is a key part of the local food telephone interviews. Telephone
Some initiatives are purely food production network with many interviews were also carried out with
focused while others are part of small businesses providing a much workers in Health Promotion
wider health, environmental or anti- needed local service. In contrast, in Departments, Food Futures projects
poverty initiatives. A number of the industrialised west, small scale and other active organisations. These
projects will have staff (both lay and growing projects are peripheral to discussions provided a framework
professional) working for them. the mass production of foodstuffs for shaping this description of
Both they and projects with no staff and service ‘niche’ markets eg small growing projects in Scotland.
of their own, also rely on access to organic producers.
specialist staff particularly from local A set of visits to, and interviews
authorities, the health service and Some community growing projects with, workers gave information
the voluntary sector. Some initiatives attempt to address issues around about projects and recommendations
have their origins in an anti-poverty poverty and food access; often for further contacts and exploration.
agenda while others come from a including the development of work
diet, health or environmental skills and better health as outcomes. Inclusion of projects in this
perspective. Invariably these agendas publication is not intended to be a
merge as the initiatives highlight in There is also a strand of this work judgement on those either included
practice the much sought after that sees the activities as supporting or excluded. They have been chosen
joined-up thinking. a return to the ideal of active and to reflect the variety of activity that
supportive communities. For can be found, not to be a repres-
A common theme however is that no example the Earthshare Project in entative sample of the spread of
initiative is claiming whether Forres has described itself as: projects. The choice reflects the
individually or collectively that it is diversity of work going on in the
the sole or even primary solution to ‘... a shared community allotment to country and is intended to give
the problems of food and diet facing which subscribers commit a full year‘s readers a flavour of what is there.
Page 10 Growing Interest

11. Projects are presented under one (or breadth of activity that can be found One of the issues identified by many of
more) of the headings found below. in many projects. For example the the people interviewed for this
LETS work in Stirling could be publication is the loss of understanding
in our urban communities that growing
• city farms and described as a training organisation,
food is something everyone can do. This
community gardens a support organisation, an organic was highlighted by the story of a visitor
• school growing projects grower, a food provider and part of a to Glasgow who came from Albania and
• training and therapy projects local exchange scheme. Therefore was being taken on a tour of one of the
• allotments, and our categorisation has been carried city’s deprived peripheral estates. As
• growing and selling. out in order to produce as interesting she was being driven through this
a booklet as possible with apologies housing estate she asked, ‘Why are the
One of the difficulties of describing to projects who may have entered gardens empty?’ After a puzzling few
moments on both sides, the locals
the projects in categories is the themselves in a different category.
understood her being perplexed by the
notion that deprived people would not
grow food to feed themselves, and the
Benefits of community growing projects local guide was puzzling over our
culture which values crisps and frozen
In looking at proposals for the development of urban agriculture in chips over home grown ‘tatties’.
London, Sustain identified a number of benefits to the City and
Community. These covered:
Environmental
• greater biological diversity of plants and animals
• less waste, resulting from more composting activity and less food packaging
• reduced food transportation through greater availability of local produce
• less pollution and lower pollution related costs from the greater environmental
awareness generated by urban agriculture.
Economic
• some commercially viable jobs in food growing, processing and marketing, and in
composting and related industries
• a boost to the leisure industry, through increased sales of gardening inputs
• a stronger sustainable food and agriculture industry (urban and rural)
• business benefits through greener, more attractive local environments, a better
public image and more skilled and motivated workers
• contributions to the alternative economy through LETS and social enterprises.
Health
• health and social benefits, so reducing the burden on statutory services
• increased consumption of fruit and vegetables through greater availability
of affordable fresh produce
• opportunities for physical activity stress relief for everyone and
mental health gains for those with specific difficulties.
Community development
• more active participation in community life and a practical focus for
working with others across a variety of social divisions
• opportunities for delivering many of Government’s area-based
regeneration objectives.
Educational
• opportunities for school curriculum teaching, vocational training and for lifelong
learning, training and employment
• opportunities, particularly for disadvantaged people.
(adapted from 8)
Background Page 11

12. City Farms
The City Farms movement started in the Gorgie City Farm
1970s. There are now around 60 City This community project was initiated
Farms across the UK and there are two
in 1977 by a group of local residents
farms in Scotland: Gorgie City Farm in
Edinburgh and Knowetop in East in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. The
Dunbartonshire. In the farms there is farm opened to the public in 1982.
some horticultural production and Gorgie City Farm is situated in a
animal keeping. A tuckshop or cafe and densely populated urban area,
during the season a stall selling some of squeezed into a 2.5 acre site.
the farm’s produce.
Originally derelict, the site is in an
City Farms primarily serve a community area that was identified by the City
and educational role, providing a day Council as being short of open space.
out for families and a range of
educational activities for school groups. The farm aims to advance the
David Black
Some have developed teaching packs education of users in agricultural and
which link the farm’s activities with
horticultural practices, in the care
school curriculum requirements. For Gorgie farm produce for sale
many urban children, particularly those and husbandry of animals, in home
from the inner city, a visit to the City crafts, country life and related The farm is open seven days a week,
Farm can be the first time they come into subjects and in this process to liaise including public holidays, and
contact with agricultural animals and closely with schools and other admission is free. The farm runs
food actually growing in the ground. educational organisations. many activities. As well as a working
farm, with a range of animals and
On a City Farm the emphasis is on
involvement rather than observation, It also provides opportunities for all growing areas. The farm also has a
and the Federation is at pains to correct users for recreation and leisure time pet lodge, a cafe and a range of clubs,
anyone who thinks of its member Farms occupations, particularly those with activities and projects. Education
as ‘zoos’. All members of the local special needs. It aims to promote and community inclusion are high
community are encouraged to make community development by on the agenda of the farm.
visits and become involved in farm
involving users (of all ages) in the
activities, and there are often regular
and strong links with local schools and activities of the farm. The farm’s community inclusion
other community groups. project (lottery funded) has a range
A range of training activities is
undertaken. Many farms participate in
Youth Training, Employment Training or
other official schemes, and have contact
with local schools and colleges.
Weekend clubs for local children are
also a feature of some farms.
David Black
Federation of City Farms
and Community Gardens
Greenhouses and teaching area at Gorgie
Page 12 Growing Interest

13. Knowetop Community Farm
Knowetop Community Farm in West Dumbarton started in 1980.
Initially the farm consisted of makeshift huts, a few goats, chickens,
rabbits and a band of committed people. Hard work was the order of the
day. Pallets were collected and laid so that work could begin regardless
of the mud. Twenty years on the farm covers six acres, has five paid staff
and many volunteers and is a registered training centre for animal care
and horticulture as well as a New Deal provider.
David Black
Millenium education garden at Georgie Admission to the farm is free but a small charge is made for group
of activities and courses, one of the school visits if they require a guided tour. The farm takes great interest
most popular being the bread- in work with schools and is putting together its own educational pack.
making course. It also provides ‘We have children who come here who have never seen a goat or chicken
pottery, gardening, herbal remedy before’ says David Gallacher the projects and volunteer co-ordinator.
and soup-making courses as well as ‘One boy couldn’t believe that a chicken came from an egg’ David is keen to
office skills and mobile pet service install an incubator so that if schools book 21 days in advance they can
courses see eggs hatching on the day of the visit.
The farm has an education garden The farm has a range of funders which it works closely with;
and associated greenhouses that Lennox Partnership, West Dunbartonshire SIP Partnership, West
support a range of activities Dunbartonshire Council and many other organisations.
including school visits and training
courses. The farm garden producing vegetables in accordance with organic
principles was developed three years ago and will shortly be seeking
A range of foodstuffs are grown on certification from the soil association. The vegetable garden has been
the farm for use in the cafe and for established by a devoted adult volunteer (Rose Harvey) who maintains
sale. Some of the clubs/schools also the vegetable plots throughout the year. Assistance is given from the
take part in growing, eg the Community Fund and a small grant from the Scottish Community Diet
photograph below is of the farm’s Project. In the summer the farm sells vegetables at low cost directly to
‘Soup Barrels’- these are large local residents and visitors. the farm is open 7 days, 10a.m. - 4p.m.
container gardens growing carrot and (late opening in summer months)
coriander or potato and leek- all you
need for soup, bar cooking!
David Black
Knowtop
‘Soup Barrels’ at Georgie Farm Vegetables for sale at Knowetop
City Farms Page 13

14. Community Gardens
What exactly is ‘Community Gardening’? Renfrewshire community focus on children’s play and leisure
Broadly speaking it describes projects gardens helps stimulate young minds and
which use gardens or the process of
As part of their Sustainable encourages them to learn more
working on the land to enhance or
improve communities. Many of these Communities Programme effectively.
communities are made up of Renfrewshire Council has developed
disadvantaged or marginalised an extensive project which includes Community garden at the Cherrie Centre
individuals. Prisoners, the poor and the development of 11 community Based mainly in schools (see next
those suffering from mental health gardens. The Sustainable section) and family centres the work
problems are among those represented
Communities Programme was of the project has had many spin-offs.
in such communities. ‘Community
Gardening’ is not a subject that fits developed to drive forward the local The development of the community
easily into one discipline. It Agenda 21( LA21) process by garden at the Cherrie Centre has been
encompasses horticulture, city planning, involving and empowering fun for all users of the centre from the
landscape design, education, communities. The programme is nursery children to pensioners, after-
community regeneration and funded by the Social Inclusion school care to the disabled groups, all
development, natural history, social
Programme, European Regional have contributed. Although the
history… all of these have an impact on
the quality of life in the community. Development Fund and Forward project group started with the
(People Land and Sustainability website) Scotland. Piloted as a one-worker intention of creating a green oasis in
project in three priority areas, it has a bleak area the garden has been
now been rolled out to cover eleven anything but just green with its blaze
Partnership areas and has a staff of of annual colour in planters and
five. hanging baskets, bulbs in spring and
herbs growing in tubs. Last year the
Community empowerment shrubs were established and the group
This project has focused very closely will continue to develop a sustainable
on what communities actually want, garden area with perennial planting
and developed groups to work on this year. The Sustainable
and deliver quick, practical, low cost Communities Programme has
means of meeting those needs. matched fund with the local council
grant to finish off the garden with a
Community benefits wheelchair accessible path and
Benefits to the community have been decorative entrance to the garden.
immediate and tangible. Eleven local With the help of art students a wall
gardening projects have been mural, sculpture (totem poles) and a
established involving 57 adults and mural for the shed is planned. A
90 children. Nine communities learn-to-garden course has been
entered ‘Beautiful Scotland in running for two years. Trips with the
Bloom’, so pleased were they with children, local planting of seeds and
the transformation they themselves bulbs and community clean-ups have
had brought about in their areas. developed from the work in the
People have been empowered to gardens.
access jobs and training, (more than
35 project volunteers have been Moorpark Family Centre
FCF&CG
supported to find jobs) while the As in the Cherrie Centre, work with
Big vegetables in a community garden
Page 14 Growing Interest

15. under 5s in the Family Centre in
their play area/garden has been a
catalyst for the centre’s staff and
parents to develop the environmental
aspects of their curriculum and the
school has been recognised with an
Education Department Award for
their efforts in this area. With the
IDEA
help of the ‘Organic Resource IDEA garden-raised beds and polytunnel
Recovery Project’ a wormery has used in the centre’s lunch club and post mid March 2002 (one-year
been re-established in the centre. sold to the community. contract, 20 hour post)
Potatoes are planted in stacked 3. Contract for training with
recycled car tyres in the play area Buchanan Street Project Langside College (Glasgow FE
and vegetable seeds have been sown A community garden in Coatbridge College)
in the flower planters to allow the in North Lanarkshire, this project 4. Training starts in April 2002.
growing of vegetables along with has been set up to encourage
annual flowers. integration of people with learning
disabilities within the wider
community. The garden is designed
as a training environment, with
Buchanan Street Gardens
recreation areas, potting sheds,
greenhouse and polytunnel area and
raised growing beds. Now in the
second stage of its development it is
intended to grow produce for use in Buchanan Street Gardens - Before
Sustainable Communities
the adjacent resource centre and to
be sold to the public at large.
Buchanan Street Gardens
Stages of development of the project
Everybody helps in the Renfrewshire community Start 1996-1997
gardens
1. Piece of ground identified
Islay IDEA Garden 2. Ground handed over to group by
On the island of Islay the Islay North Lanarkshire Council Buchanan Street Gardens - After
Disabled Endeavours and Action 3. Volunteers clear area plant
(IDEA) team has developed a perimeter hedge
community garden for people with 4. Potential funders identified
special needs and disabilities. The 5. Register project with
IDEA horticultural project has been Environmental Trust Scheme
up and running (with development Regulator (registration allows
support from the Beechgrove access to Landfill Monies).
Garden) since 1997. With raised
beds and a wheelchair accessible Second stage
polytunnel they have flowers and 1. Employment of development
herbs under cultivation. They have worker plus training provision.
accessed a two-acre field which is This was funded through local
just about to be cultivated. This will small grants for community-led
grow carrots, cabbages, potatoes and projects scheme.
broccoli -all organic- these will be 2. Development worker came into
Community Gardens Page 15

16. School Growing Projects
School gardens and growing areas are The children take responsibility for
to be found throughout Scotland. They preparing the vegetable garden,
are the most common kind of growing
adding manure and seaweed from
project that the research found. There
are a number of reasons for this, a key the beach as fertiliser. The local
one being the support provided by playgroup has also been involved,
organisations like Grounds for Learning, growing vegetables and flowers in
the Eco-Schools project , local their own garden. Some years the
organisations like the Kippen younger class grow things as part of
Environment Centre and local
their project work. Time spent
countryside rangers services.
gardening is limited by the demands
of the curriculum but it fits into
certain areas like Personal and Social
Development, Science and Maths.
Lunnasting School
The school is an Eco-School and
maintaining the garden is an
‘Preparing tatties’ at Lunnasting important part of this programme.
Lunnasting School Garden
The school grounds at Lunnasting The children have used the produce
School in Shetland have been of the garden in cooking lessons in
developed since the school the school. The harvest of onions
was rebuilt on the site in 1995. Faced were used to tie-dye material and in
with a difficult slope the production of a buffet for an Eco-
and newly acquired schoolhouse School presentation. Potatoes were
garden they sought the help of the used to make different recipes and a
BBC Beechgrove Garden ‘Hit Squad’ recipe book was produced as a mini-
and six months later had a sloping enterprise with proceeds going to
garden planted with trees and charity. So far £500 has been sent to
bushes, an area of trees and a a school in Africa to help repair their
greenhouse and a garden shed. Since toilet blocks and dining room. Food
the first year there has been a small grown is usually added as an extra to
growing area in the garden. the school lunch.
They have grown different produce
each year, and so far have grown
onions, potatoes, salads and peas.
Inside the greenhouse are miniature
apple and cherry trees and a vine
National Support which as yet has produced no grapes.
Agency for growing
They have also grown tomatoes,
activities in school
Lunnasting School
carrots and other vegetables inside as
grounds
well as various flowers.
Fruits of our labour
Page 16 Growing Interest

17. Not all school growing takes place in vegetables in the classroom so that What are Eco-schools?
the school grounds; there are they are able to taste what they have Eco-schools is an international
examples of schools making use of grown. programme for promoting
local Allotments and being involved environmental awareness in a way that
links to many curriculum subjects,
in local community gardens. Children learn about healthy eating
including citizenship, personal, social
and healthy living through and health education and education for
Renfrewshire Schools gardening. Children whose sustainable development. It is based
The Sustainable Communities experience of vegetables is limited to upon a simple methodology which can
Project (see page 12) provides local the freezer cabinet of the local be used by any school. The Eco-schools
support for school growing activities supermarket, or tins, experience the process is holistic. It works by involving
within Primary Schools and real thing and find that they love the the whole school (pupils, teachers, non-
Nurseries in Renfrewshire. taste of fresh vegetables. The area of teaching staff and governors) together
with members of the local community
Teaching fruit and vegetable growing the school grounds set aside for
(parents, the local authority, the media
has proved to be very popular with vegetables gardening is part of a large and local businesses). It will encourage
children, adds to the environmental grass area. The children are currently teamwork and help to create a shared
curriculum and helps to develop designing a wildlife garden for the understanding of what it takes to run a
other environmental actions in the remaining grass area. school in a way that respects and
schools eg Eco-schools. enhances the environment.
Auchenlodment Primary School
The vegetable garden started four
years ago with Primary 2 children.
Every Wednesday afternoon
sustainable communities staff took
Sustainable Communities
Sustainable Communities
children out of the classroom to sow
vegetables. After the Easter holidays
the children planted the garden and
harvested in time for the school
harvest festival. ‘Are we at Australia yet?’ ‘We did grow them!’
The school takes part in the Eco-
schools project and the children have
gained confidence in their own
Local Support Structures: an example
Local support is very useful in the development of action in
practical abilities. The children have schools. As well as national structures like Grounds for
also developed a wildlife garden. Learning and Eco-schools there are a number of local projects
who provide this support. The Kippin Environment Centre in
Moorpark Primary School Stirlingshire is an environmental education resource centre for
Primary 5, 6 and 7 children have local school children. It works with a range of community and
been involved in creating a vegetable educational initiatives, in schools it provides advice and
garden with project staff over the last support to help make school grounds into more stimulating
environments for pupils and wildlife. The Centre has had inputs
three years. Vegetables are grown
into most of the schools in their area and works closely with
organically and the children have Grounds for Learning. The Centre has many other activities eg
learned about composting, recycling, it works with churches to make them and their grounds more
companion planting and have environmentally friendly, it develops family and community
planted vegetable seeds and grown events to encourage understanding of environmental issues, it
potatoes and onions. Children are has spun-off a number of projects -food co-op, woodland
able to harvest their own produce. group and a community composting project.
They prepare and cook the
School Growing Projects Page 17

18. Training and Therapy Projects
There are many therapeutic gardens and Coachhouse Trust
training projects spread across The Coachhouse Trust based in the
Scotland. These projects had their
west end of Glasgow seeks to
beginnings in the patient-managed
gardens in the old ‘Asylums’ and some challenge the economic and
are still in the same premises; however a social exclusion of adults who are
growing number of voluntary mental recovering from problems associated
health organisations now work in this with mental health, addiction and
way. Gardens can be found in a range of learning difficulties. It provides
settings from small city centre plots to
personal, social and vocational
large walled gardens. Many of these
projects grow food as well as flowers development opportunities to people
and plants. in settings which reintegrate them to
the mainstream community.
Coachhouse trust
A number of activities and settings come
under the umbrella of ‘horticultural Based in refurbished coach houses in
therapy’. These can range from: the use
Belmont Lane in the west end of
of growing skills as part of a
Glasgow, the Trust provides indoor The Triangle Garden
rehabilitation programme within
hospital occupational therapy and outdoor training workshops in create jobs through the various
departments; the creation of specially topics such as horticulture, training and trading activities it is
adapted gardens for disabled people; to computing, woodworking, fabrics, developing eg cafe, gallery and
training or sheltered work schemes for ceramics and landscaping. Its clients performance space. The project’s new
people with learning disabilities or
work in and with the local cafe will be using produce from their
mental health problems. It can take
place in settings as diverse community so that mutual trust and gardens.
as hospital glass houses, community respect is built and integration is
gardens, community allotments and achieved. The Trust has two main sites for
small nurseries. growing at the moment. Herbs,
Elements of training and support can The Trust believes that work is the flowers and vegetables are grown in
also be seen in many of the projects in
key to inclusion in our society, and the walled garden. The main garden
this booklet, eg community gardens and
the school growing projects. organises supported work site has herbs and vegetables
placements for its clients as a bridge growing both in a polytunnel and on
to full employment. It hopes to raised beds. A wide range of produce
is grown which can be bought by
local residents or organisations. The
Trust has recently started working
with a group of unemployed men
from the south of the city and are
supporting them in developing an
allotment in Queen’s Park with plans
to grow foodstuffs there also.
National Support
Coachhouse Trust
Agency for growing
as training and
therapy
Barrowing Belmont Lane
Page 18 Growing Interest

19. Redhall Walled Garden However with changes in funders ‘For people experiencing mental health
Redhall Walled Garden was built and much stricter regulations over problems, gardening can offer great
in the 18th century as health and safety, eg need for potential for comfort, pleasure and an
increased sense of self-esteem. The
the kitchen garden of a separate areas for weighing and
garden can represent a safe place,
large estate. It is now run as a washing it became too difficult to separate from life’s anxieties; there can
horticultural training project continue this aspect of the work. be respite in the sense of being
by the Scottish Association for somewhere quiet… It might also become
Mental Health. It is funded and The centre has an ongoing program easier to acknowledge distress in such
supported by the Edinburgh City of school visits and is often used for surroundings, where external pressures
Council Department of Social Work, picnics and barbecues. It also has are reduced.’
(10)
and Lothian Health. It offers training links with Edinburgh training Gardening, Mental Health and Community Care:
through the medium of horticulture. colleges for visits and placements, eg Val George
Redhall is operated in conjunction art therapy students and others.
with Sprout Training Centre, in the
grounds of the Astley Ainslie
Hospital.
The garden provides horticulture
training opportunities, in a
supportive environment for people
with, and recovering from, mental
health problems and stress related
difficulties. The training is available
to adults aged 18-65. No previous
experience is required and every
attempt is made to accommodate
people with physical disabilities and
special needs.
The centre has 36 full-time places
and grows a range of flowers, fruit
and vegetables, most of which is
eaten on site. The project grew
vegetables and fruit for sale to
restaurants in Edinburgh in the past.
Redhall
Redhall
Working at Redhall Working at Redhall
Training and Therapy Projects Page 19

20. Allotments
Allotments are the traditional urban
growing space and they have a long Produce grown in Glasgow allotments
history. In 1944 300,000 acres of
allotments and gardens produced nearly artichokes, asparagus, courgettes,
half of the UK’s fruit and vegetable capsicum, corn, tomatoes,
needs. While the number of allotments potatoes, carrots, beetroot,
available has reduced markedly since radish, turnips, swedes, parsnips,
the 1950s, over the past 10 years celeriac, onions, garlic, leeks,
interest in allotments and demand for shallots, broccoli, cauliflower,
gardens has been growing. brussels sprouts, cabbage, spring
cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach,
celery, chicory, chard, peas, runner
beans, broad beans, rhubarb,
raspberries, strawberries,
gooseberries, currants-red white
and black.
SAGS
Glasgow Allotment Stirling Community Allotment Project
Allotments In Stirling an innovative initiative
SAGS
With about 4000 growing spaces between the Local Exchange Trading
Glasgow Allotment across Scotland, allotments are System–LETS Make it Better Project–
‘In an age when most of our serious probably the most common form of
problems are social ones, allotments and Forth Valley NHS Board, has
community and personal growing in seen the development of a
provide social cement of a type
the country. The Scottish Allotment community allotment project which
previously provided by the Church, but
conspicuously lacking in today’s society. and Gardens Society (SAGS) has aims to:
Thus allotments bring together men and 2000 members -about half the plot
women from all age groups (20s to 90s) holders in Scotland- and aims to • provide a theraputic environment
ethnic and national origins, protect, preserve and promote at various stages for people
occupations, social and educational allotment sites. They argue that recovering from severe mental
backgrounds and income groups, growing plays a part in promoting
including the retired and the illness
healthy lifestyles for all age groups, • provide organic vegetable produce
unemployed.
that the plots give a space for for the LETS Community Cafe
They are daily witness to a thousand relaxation and social interaction and • provide a weekly ‘vegetable basket’
acts of kindness - gifts of seeds, plants help reduce stress and alienation. for the participants.
and produce, help with watering and
heavy work, sharing of equipment, SAGS are aware that increasing This project has a number of
refreshments and experience - to name numbers of women, young people benefits. It promotes a healthy diet
but a few. The exercise that allotments and ethnic minorities are using
provide for individuals lightens the
for participants, it provides a local
allotments to grow their own food. project with locally grown (organic)
National Health bill ... most importantly
But much wider uses of these produce and demonstrates the
allotments promote contentment.’
growing spaces are becoming viability of local vegetable produce
common; school plots and visits, groups.
Prof K Vickerman, FRS
youth training and urban renewal
(Glasgow allotment plot holder)
projects are developing in allotments
around the country.
Page 20 Growing Interest

21. Allotments and community workers (Danny Lowe). With the ‘Allotments are an important resource.
growing award of a grant from the UVAF in Although a product of a bygone age,
When discussing community 2001, supported the development of they are as relevant to the urban scene
as ever. Outdoor exercise, fresh home-
growing allotments are often the first its work. It developed as an organic
grown produce and the enjoyment of
example that people identify. growing project working with nature are just a few of the benefits of
Allotments, however, are viewed as unemployed and homeless people, having an allotment. They are also vital
being only focused on the needs of developing gardening skills through Green Spaces which, with careful
one person or family. This is not the regeneration and development of stewardship, will be a valuable legacy.’
strictly true as there are a number the Hamiltonhill Allotments in
of examples of educational and Glasgow. The project also developed Social Inclusion
Almost all parts of society are found as
regeneration activities taking place good links with local schools and
plotholders on a typical Edinburgh
in allotments around the country. school leavers and the local Allotment site. This can be seen from the
children’s inclusion partnership. It backgrounds of 18 neighbouring
A good example of this was the work was able to access support from the plotholders at the Midmar site.
of the Groundwork project which City Council to install toilets and a
took place in Hamiltonhill bothy. The bothy hosted regular 1. retired polish miner (78)
allotments in Glasgow (the project events eg training demonstrations 2. working family (35)
is now in the process of relocating to by the chefs from Glasgow’s 3. technical college lecturer (50)
4. Friends of the Earth staff member
another site) Grassroots Cafe on vegetarian
(30)
cooking with allotment produce. 5. young Asian mother (30)
This project developed over four 6. retired scientist (80)
years, with support from CSV The use of allotments for training 7. practising lawyer (50)
Environment before it disbanded, and support can be seen also in 8. retired G.P. (65)
and then with extensive focused Stirling where the LETS project has 9. spinster (75)
voluntary input from one of CSV’s been using their allotment for this. 10. retired teacher (75)
11. whole family
12. consultant (50)
13. manageress (35)
14. retired nurse (65)
15. school master (70)
16. research scientist (50)
17. mental health group
(various ages)
18. long-term unemployed
(45)
Each plot-holder has a
David Black
common interest and are
brought together by this and
Groundwork at Hamiltonhill the frequently changing
successes and failures to
According to Judy Wilkinson,SAGS secretary more women, families, young people share with neighbouring
and minority groups are allotment gardening than ever before… plot-holders.
In Edinburgh the ground rent for a plot ranges from £6 to £30 per year; in (Amended from the FEDAGA
Glasgow allotments are a uniform £26.50 a year or 50p per week. The amount of
website see page 32)
produce achievable can be fantastic - Wilkinson talks of 200 onions, 250 leeks,
40 marrows, 60 cucumbers, 60 sweetcorn cobs, plus 25lbs of blackcurrants,
40lbs of raspberries, and 20lbs of gooseberries from one plot, plus herbs, beans,
and potatoes. That's enough to feed a family and have plenty to give away or
swap with other gardeners.
The Scotsman, 12th January 2002
Allotments Page 21

22. Growing for Resale
Three examples of projects involved in Earthshare The organisation has grown from
growing for resale are given. These are Earthshare is a not-for-profit strength to strength since its
the CSA approach of Earthshare in Nairn Community Supported Agricultural inauguration and is now close to
where 200 subscribers share the risks and
(CSA) scheme based in the north- achieving financial stability through
benefits of funding organic food growing.
The Skye and Lochalsh approach is one of east of Scotland in which the economies of scale. Half of the
providing a supportive infrastructure to subscribers share the risks and subscribers are individuals and half
enable a range of small growers develop a benefits involved in growing their groups. Expansion has been achieved
market for locally grown foods. In food using organic methods. largely through word of mouth with
Stornoway the Cearns Community Subscribers sign-up for a full year, minimal advertising. The value of the
Development project is providing training, and have the option of contributing produce is exceptional when
and through this growing food for sale in part of their share through work eg compared to imported produce of
the local shop. Projects like the LETS cafe
weeding, tattie picking etc similar standard.
in Stirling (p18) also grow for resale
although in their case the raw materials
are not sold rather the finished cooked Earthshare grows about 47 different In addition to growing produce on
dish is sold in the cafe. A number of other varieties of fruit and vegetables and the land it farms, Earthshare obtains
projects are developing this approach eg distributes these to its 200 local produce from two other organic
the Skypoint centre cafe in Faifley plans a subscribers 51 weeks of the year. contractors. These provide
growing project to provide foodstuffs for Social events are organised vegetables for early and late season
the cafe. throughout the year and the project salads and covered summer crops
has a quarterly newsletter, ‘The like tomatoes as well as organic fruit.
Onion String’. Having outside contractors for those
products has allowed Earthshare to
Crops are harvested each week and concentrate on the staple crops like
boxes packed each Friday. These are brassicas, potatoes and carrots suited
then taken to three pick-up points. to its more extensive field and
Subscribers collect their own boxes tractor-based systems.
and are encouraged to share in a rota
Earthshre
scheme to collect for their nearest There has been growing interest from
Earthshare subscribers at work neighbours. community groups and individuals
throughout rural Scotland and many
have visited the project. Earthshare
believes that CSA has great potential
for community building, and that
this helps to achieve the level of
subscriber support necessary to
ensure a truly sustainable operation.
Earthshare is hoping to broaden the
ownership of the organisation in a
way which will benefit the local
community and promote the
development of similar CSA schemes
elsewhere.
Earthshre
‘Tattiefest’ at Earthshare
Page 22 Growing Interest

23. Skye and Lochalsh It has been established that a wide Fas Feallain ‘Grow Healthy’ project
Horticultural Development variety of crops can be grown Fas Feallain is an innovative rural project
Association successfully throughout the area, in the Western Isles that attempts to join
Skye and Lochalsh Horticultural both protected (polytunnel) and 'grow your own' / horticultural activities
with healthier eating initiatives at a
Development Association (SLHDA) unprotected and the produce from
local level. The New Opportunities Fund
was established in February 1994 these sites has been marketed and Healthy-Living-Centre programme has
with the objective of developing all sold locally to both the hotel and given it a grant for three years from
aspects of the horticulture trade that catering trade and subsequently to 2002.
could be of local economic or the general public through a market
environmental benefit in Skye and stall. The Fas Feallain project will help
Lochalsh. It aims to displace address some of the health inequalities
unnecessary imported skills and Cearns Community experienced by the Western Isles,
including higher costs of living than the
products by developing local skills Development Project Scottish average (for example, the cost
and resources to supply the market ‘Grow Our Own’ of food can be up to 24% higher). With
requirements and thus create more This is an initiative fostered by the training and advice, individuals will be
employment locally. local community health project helped to grow their own food for home
through ‘New Deal’ which involves consumption, with surpluses to be sold
Skye and Lochalsh is traditionally a unemployed Stornoway residents in through rural shops and local produce
crofting area, however, in recent the growing of fresh fruit and markets. The project will deliver training
years there has been a shift from the vegetables in two polytunnels. The in horticulture, cookery and business
traditional crofting methods to the produce will be sold through the development, as well as providing
healthy eating advice and guidance
permanent grazing of land and the community shop and a market stall.
for families on low incomes. A full-time
skills involved in growing have been community dietician/project
lost because of this. With the This project has attracted a wide manager and two part-time
downturn in income from livestock range of support with funding from co-ordinators will be
production, the Association has Western Isles Enterprise, SCDP, local employed, with services
recognised the potential for ward initiative monies and the delivered from existing
alternative land use in the area. Health Board’s Health Improvement local centres.
Sustainable developments such as Fund. The project is acting as a pilot
horticulture, with opportunities project for the ‘Fas Feallain’ initiative
existing for a number of full-time (see sidebar).
and part-time horticulture-related
business developments, are suitable
to this area. It was felt that crofting
was particularly well suited to the
small scale production of fruit and
vegetables for supply to the local
market, and its seasonality fits in
very well with other aspects of
crofting, ie sheep, cattle, fishing and
tourism.
Over the past five years, the SLHDA,
has established a number of trial
sites throughout the area to produce
crops (soft fruit and vegetables) and
has supported and developed these
Earthshre
sites to produce for the local market.
Subscribers helping with the tatties at Earthshare
Growing for resale Page 23

24. Creating a Community Growing Project
Getting organised up its own project they must Get help from your regional
If you aren’t already organised as a establish a set of rules, usually FCF&CG development worker, or
group, you will need to get one known as a constitution. other support agencies.
started. You will be looking for
individuals who have the same aims A constitution is a legal document. It Finding a site
and who have a commitment to should: Most growing projects start where
shared responsibility. Once you have there is an identified piece of land,
a group of people together, carry out • set out the aims of the group which is derelict or under-used. But
a skills audit - find out what different • show how the group is structured some groups have to look for a site.
people have to offer. There may be • show how decisions are made by
builders, artists, and youth workers, the group Most community gardens do not
as well as gardeners, who can offer • show who is responsible for what. own the land they use. Some land is
valuable skills to the project. on licence but most land is leased.
Encourage people to join in and The group may also want to register The majority of community gardens
share their ideas and listen to their as a charity with the Inland pay a peppercorn rent.
comments, creating an environment Revenue(a). If you plan to apply for
of openness. grants or receive donations, or if you Possible sources of land are derelict
propose to hold land in trust, you allotments, land owned by a charity
Setting up a community growing should get registered as a charity. for public benefit, old churchyards,
project involves leasing or owning This can take time, and you should waste ground, land within parks and
land. It may also lead to raising get advice. You can get a model recreation grounds, common land on
funds, recruiting volunteers, and constitution from the Federation of housing estates, urban fringe
even employing paid staff. Therefore, City Farms and Community Gardens agricultural land and school or
once a group of people decides to set (FCF&CG) hospital grounds.
Start by getting in touch with your
local authority who will know what
land is available. what long-term
plans they might have for an
identified site, or whether your
group can use part of an existing
public facility. Good contacts will be
your Local Agenda 21 officer and
your local councillor. The local
authority should be able to help with
advice, support and, hopefully,
funding.
You may need to negotiate for a site
with the owner, whether this is the
Coachhouse Trust
local council, a charity, or private
landowner. You will probably want:
Coachhouse Trust Log Cabin and Market Garden
Page 24 Growing Interest

25. • a licence to allow short-term be responsible for managing the
(up to one year) improvements, money. If you need specialist help,
which can then be renewed. find out about local community
• a long-term agreement giving the accountancy projects.
group security of tenure
• a lease with a low rent You will need to set up a system of
• as few restrictions as possible basic book keeping, whether you are
• planning permission. spending £50 or £50,000 each year,
and you will need to prepare a
In return you should be clear what budget. A budget will ensure that
you are offering the owner. By you have the relevant financial
putting the land back into use for information at the right time, and
community benefit, the owner will can make the difference between a
Coachhouse Trust
receive good publicity. If the local project failing or thriving.
council is the owner, you can help
them meet service targets, eg Raising money
education, facilities for children’s How to get hold of money is an issue Coachhouse raised herb beds
play, leisure and recreation, that dominates many community
composting, environmental projects, but it is important to
improvements. remember that good volunteers and
donations in kind may meet many of
Promoting a project your needs.
It is important to promote your
project to gain local support, attract You may be able to reduce your need
funding, and get more people for money by doing some careful
involved. It is useful to identify research, eg into discounts,
someone to be responsible for co- donations, rate relief, buying
ordinating publicity. consortiums, recycling, Local
Exchange Trading Schemes. You
Use existing channels of should also get as much help from
communication, such as other your local community as possible
groups’ newsletters and publications, through help and donations in kind,
noticeboards, and local authority eg displaying a ‘wants list’ board
websites. Try also to reach a wider asking for plant cuttings, trees, tools
audience through the local media. etc.
Send out press releases and photos to
local papers and radio to publicise Ideas for income generation include
events, celebrate achievements, or selling plants and window boxes,
generate more community charging an entrance fee to
involvement. It can also be useful to community events, and running
link in with other groups’ national training sessions, eg on building a
and local campaigns (see page 32 for composting unit or making a herb
contacts) hanging basket.
Managing money Funding may be available from
You will need to find out what charitable trusts, through service
financial skills you already have in agreements with the local authority
your group and identify someone to or Scottish Executive, from the
Creating a Community Growing Project Page 25