Last week the UK Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, gave a speech launching “Food 2030″ – the government’s food strategy for the next 20 years. One aspect of this, that The Guardian reported on, was the government’s plans to launch a “grow your own” revolution by encouraging people to set up temporary allotments or community gardens on land awaiting development or other permanent use. As The Guardian summarises:
The government aims to develop a “meanwhile” lease for landowners and voluntary groups wishing to set up temporary allotments on land awaiting development. One in three people in the UK grows fruit and vegetables, according to a survey commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Ministers believe the move could foster community spirit and skills as well as physical and mental health.
Governmental support for this type of sharing is great – people with land they’re not using making it available to those who have a hankering to get their spade dirty but nowhere to do it? Sounds like a recipe for fresh veg and community.
(image and flowchart from http://landshare.channel4.com/)
And there are of course a lot of initiatives already working the same furrow (which will hopefully benefit from the announced strategy). One example is Landshare – a venture started in partnership with the delightful Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, with some 40,000 users and brilliant in its simplicity. How it works:
1. You: landowner, grower or helper
2. Post a listing: tell others where you are and what you are offering or looking for
3. Get responses: use the Landshare mail system to receive and send messages
4. Have a chat: and see what happens…
Like a green-fingered Craigslist!
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