Growing Connections in South Somerset

Connecting land, people & food

Magdalen FarmMay 10th 2011

Somerset Land and Food

Project Aims• Map existing growing spaces

• Negotiate with landowners for new land to grow

food on

• Use Technical Assistance Fund to help people

access land and share skills & resources

• Run conferences twice a year – May 10th

• Develop a network of partners

A myriad of positive outcomes• Promote physical exercise – preventing & tackling

diabetes, heart disease, obesity• Promote a more healthy & nutritious diet – those

who grow more likely to eat more fresh fruit & veg• Promote mental health – gardeners report finding a

connection with the natural world relaxing & calming• Great educational value for children• Can reduce food miles, food packaging & food waste • Can help LAs & communities meet biodiversity

targets• Builds social capital and community cohesion

Food security

“If every organisation and company did the same then it would transform the health and well-being of the Nation as well as significantly contribute to our National Food supply. In this time of crisis and chaos this is exactly the kind of practical enlightened action that will rebuild and create a better future.”

Monty Don

2012 new growing spaces in London

Food From The Sky

Growing Round The Houses

Pioneering approaches• Evidence base•Partnership•Proactivity•Planning

Mapping

• Comprehensive database of growing spaces

• Visible networks of related local food initiatives

• Where is demand for land not met by supply?

• Which groups really want to access new land?

South West

Somerset

South Somerset

Waiting Lists at April 2011

• Bruton…………………………………………………….. 20• Crewkerne ………………………………………………..37• Chard…………………………………………………………37• Ilminster…………………………………………………….15• Wincanton ………………………………………………..27• Yeovil 13, Yeovil Without 7, West Coker 9….29• Brympton…………………………………………………..44• 209 + another 40 in rural parishes….TOTAL 249

Yeovil

The way forward?

• Inspiring case studies• Flexibility for landowners – return of land• Security for tenants – be decent• More joined up approach – health,

regeneration, waste management, community safety

What’s in it for you? • Be part of the solution - win win win!• Commercial rent - low risk

diversification• More £ from allotments than Single

Farm Payment• New customer base• Great PR opportunities

Meeting your targets• Duty of Care or Corporate Social

Responsibility targets• Connect with your community• Build social capital, community

safety and resilience on your doorstep

Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens

• Community Land Advisory Service• The Co-operative Group

Growing Connections in South Somerset

Connecting land, people & food

Magdalen FarmMay 10th 2011

• Brits are rediscovering the humble allotment with waiting lists reaching an all time high, according to the first comprehensive allotment survey in over ten years [1].

• Research among local authorities commissioned by home insurer LV= reveals the true picture of access to allotments in England and Wales. Demand for allotments has seen a massive resurgence, with around six million people wanting to rent one but only 200,000 plots across the UK recorded at the time of research [2].

• Currently at least 83,000 Brits [3] are on a waiting list for an allotment. Applicants are typically looking at an average delay of three years before being granted a plot, although in some areas it could be as much as 40 years.

• Camden Council, Blythe Valley Council in Northumberland and Islington Council are singled out as areas where access to allotment plots is particularly problematic, with waiting lists cited as up to 40, 30 and 25 years respectively.

• The picture is brighter in the Midlands, with North Shropshire, Nottingham City and Bassetlaw District in Nottinghamshire all reporting available allotment spaces within an average of five months.

• With allotment owners keeping on average over £250 of equipment on their plot, LV= is warning people to ensure they have adequate insurance in place. Many insurers do not cover allotments as standard so if in doubt people should contact their insurer to ask for allotment cover to be added to their home insurance policy.

• The research also reveals that the financial downturn is fuelling a return to home growing and allotment gardening. Over half of all (56%) of all allotment owners chose to rent a plot to save money [4], while a third (34%) said they did so to be in control of the pesticides that are used on their food. On average, allotment owners say they save around £950 a year through home growing.

• Teaching children about food is also a factor for some, with close to one in three (30%) ‘growing their own' as a way to show their children where food comes from.

• It appears that the profile of the typical allotment owner is changing too, with single parents the most likely group to want to rent or apply for an allotment – one in three (32%) said they were interested in allotment ownership.

• John O'Roarke, managing director of LV= home insurance, said:• "It's fantastic that so many people are embracing 'the good life' and growing their own fruit and vegetables. However with many allotment owners

keeping expensive tools on their plots they should contact their insurer to check if they are covered should the worst happen."• Geoff Stokes, Secretary of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG), added:• "We welcome this new insight into allotment accessibility in Britain, and it's encouraging that so many people are interested in getting out and getting in

to some green space. Allotment gardening is a fantastic hobby and has so many benefits, it's cheap, it's good for you, and it can save you hundreds of pounds a year on food."