A community in transition to a low carbon, sustainable, resilient life.
Allotment site at Emerson College
Good News!
Emerson College has agreed that a small piece of land in the college grounds is used for a community allotment site! The initiative came from both sides, In the village there is a long waiting list for allotment sites, and the college wants more connection with the local community.
For the past 5 months a small group of people has been working on a proposal and choosing a site.
I want to thank Kath, Flora, Scarlet and Peter who have been very helpful and supportive in preparing this project.
The proposal includes an allotment site with individual allotment plots (up to 12). The plots will have to be organically/Biodynamically maintained and they will go under the Demeter certification of the college. It will probably be the first Organic/Biodynamic allotment site. We envisioned the site as an aesthetic and beautiful place for people to grow good vegetables and enjoy being in. There is an aspect of community in that there will be a community plot. In addition there support will be given to members to learn how to grow good quality fruit and veg. The cost per site will be £50 per year.
Now here is the thing,
We got an approval for a site behind the Rachel Carson Centre (BD building). However due to the financial situation in the college they cannot commit for more than one year.
The group who has been working on it has decided to go ahead.
There is a lot of work being done in the college to prepare for next year designing new courses and getting more students. We have faith that the Emerson will survive. Also, once the project is running that can help the college. In the chance of things turning for the worst we may still be able to keep the land.
What is needed now?
The site needs to be prepared this means probably (not certainly) fencing. Money (£1,000) needs to raised to get fencing material and we will need people to help putting up a rabbit proof fence.
To raise money, we will need to fundraise in different ways. If anybody has got an idea please come forward.
People who are interested in becoming allotment holders and want to contribute to this project please contact Scarlett Penn on scarlett_penn@hotmail.com.
We are looking for enthusiastic people who would want to grow on an allotment site which is different...
Thanks,
Nir
Emerson College has agreed that a small piece of land in the college grounds is used for a community allotment site! The initiative came from both sides, In the village there is a long waiting list for allotment sites, and the college wants more connection with the local community.
For the past 5 months a small group of people has been working on a proposal and choosing a site.
I want to thank Kath, Flora, Scarlet and Peter who have been very helpful and supportive in preparing this project.
The proposal includes an allotment site with individual allotment plots (up to 12). The plots will have to be organically/Biodynamically maintained and they will go under the Demeter certification of the college. It will probably be the first Organic/Biodynamic allotment site. We envisioned the site as an aesthetic and beautiful place for people to grow good vegetables and enjoy being in. There is an aspect of community in that there will be a community plot. In addition there support will be given to members to learn how to grow good quality fruit and veg. The cost per site will be £50 per year.
Now here is the thing,
We got an approval for a site behind the Rachel Carson Centre (BD building). However due to the financial situation in the college they cannot commit for more than one year.
The group who has been working on it has decided to go ahead.
There is a lot of work being done in the college to prepare for next year designing new courses and getting more students. We have faith that the Emerson will survive. Also, once the project is running that can help the college. In the chance of things turning for the worst we may still be able to keep the land.
What is needed now?
The site needs to be prepared this means probably (not certainly) fencing. Money (£1,000) needs to raised to get fencing material and we will need people to help putting up a rabbit proof fence.
To raise money, we will need to fundraise in different ways. If anybody has got an idea please come forward.
People who are interested in becoming allotment holders and want to contribute to this project please contact Scarlett Penn on scarlett_penn@hotmail.com.
We are looking for enthusiastic people who would want to grow on an allotment site which is different...
Thanks,
Nir
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Grenville on -
fantastic news - well done team and thanks to Emerson
As well as her email above this is Scarlett's page
http://transitionforestrow.ning.com/profile/ScarlettPenn
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Permalink Reply by Mike Grenville on
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I'd like to put my name down for one
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Permalink Reply by Mike Grenville on
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Community Gardening: skills for building community and working within environmental limits.
The challenges of a changing climate and a peaking oil supply are an opportunity for educators to rethink the kind of community and world we would like to live in. As oil peaks, intensive farming becomes less economical, since it depends on oil and natural gas for pesticides, fertilizers and farm machinery. At the same time, climate change, ecosystem degradation, the demand for biofuels, an increasing population and increasing demand for milk and meat in developing countries, is putting further pressure on food supplies. For many communities, particularly those hardest hit by economic turbulence and extreme weather events, high food prices will present a challenge for survival, and even in rich countries it will become increasingly difficult for many to afford a varied and healthy diet. The ability to work with communities and design and implement gardens that can provide organic produce from minimal resources is therefore an important sustainability literacy skill…
Download the full chapter here
http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/stibbe-handbook-of-sustainability/chapte...
© 2012 Created by Mike Grenville.
