Hi there all
I have been reading through the forum trying to get some background & advice regarding a new venture I want to undertake. I'm finding it very difficult to make contact with anyone who has the kind of knowledge and experience you guys & gals have. I could really do with your help....let me explain.....
The venture intends to tackle the raising cost of groceries, be organic and local, and create a local community spirit. People have a desire for this and to grow fruit & vegetables in their own gardens but don't have the time/space/knowledge/confidence to get it growing and manage the risk of failure. This scheme intends to bring all this together via the the control and coaching of a local gardener and the contribution of many plots so that free seasonal organic food can be harvested in village and town gardens and contribute to local community store giving free access to a wide range of locally grown produce. In the future the store would have a high street location so that non-members of the community can benefit from it's local, organic produce at reduced retail prices.
I am looking for someone with a very specific desire to get involved in a project from a small start that might evolve into something substantial. The basic requirement is to advise on, cultivate and harvest home grown crops within a local community - a membership scheme that may grow to a very large scale if successful. This requires an individual with the desire, confidence, enthusiasm, creativity and flexibility to be involved with a start up project from the beginning and help to grow it to it's full potential. The individual needs to be an experienced gardener/horticulturalist with specific knowledge of British vegetable growing, crop management and to be confident in dealing with people to advise garden owners regarding best use of space etc. The ideal person may be an avid gardener or allotment owner with a good support network.
This is the start of something that if really feasible could be replicated across the country, it could initiate a charity that invests back into green issues and generally give back what a lot of people want. I just need to find someone with the above who would revel in being involved. If anyone in this forum is interested or knows of any one suitable could you please let me know.
Many thanks,
Saz.
Where are you, Saz? Presumably you want o start in your own area?
Welcome to the site, Saz, and good luck with your project :) :) :)
Hi Saz
Similar schemes are already up and running, called community gardens. At the present time I am negotiating with a land owner for a long lease on a very large plot to run a similar community project.
Try contacting the "Federation of City Farms and City Gardens" for more info.
Thanks peeps
Yes Caroline I'm looking to kick this of in the area around Manchester Airport. Do you know any one?
Thanks Squashman - I'll look into that one.
Please spread the word to anyone you think might be remotely interested in getting involved.
Cheers, Saz.
Don't want to put a dampener on your wonderful idea but near manchester airport doesn't sound to healthy a place to start. All that pollution falling from the sky. I live not very far from the end of the runway.
Unicorn co-operative in Chorlton I think are looking for land to grow their own crops on.
Janet.
Not that close!
I'm thinking more the surrounding areas in Cheshire. I live closer to Macclesfield.
Welcome to the site Saz...... ;D