give Owen Paterson a very hard time over this, it may be the best way to stop frankenstein's stomp through our countryside

This article hardly touches the tip of the problem, Owen Paterson's drive to take the UK in the GM direction are not for these sort of crops, he wants UK farmers to use GM, like the US, so we would see them in everything non-organic, non GM free, we grow in the UK. As Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs we should give Owen Paterson a very hard time over this, it may be the best way to stop frankenstein's stomp through our countryside, which is what the issue is all about.

12% of the worlds crops are grown using GM technology.


http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2013/06/18/top-10-most-common-gmo-foods/

establishment of a bold 'No Dig' system..... if you have experience in any of the following we would like to hear from you

We are a 2.5 acre market garden at Ditton, Kent and work on land allocated for community growing by East Malling Research. We have been growing on the site since 2011.

Later this year the intention is to establish a new and much needed Community Supported Agriculture enterprise involving the community in all aspects of our decision making, growing, processing and sales. The community will benefit from good quality, nutritious, poison-free, vegetables and other produce as well as skills and experience sharing on a commercial scale. It is also an opportunity for people to get involved in their local community and an exciting new business on a co-operative and mutually rewarding example of best practice in food, farming and progressive community.

We need some more help to ensure we achieve these goals.

Currently all the land is under a new fertility stage, to secure and enhance its fertility for future years. With study of the existing, establishment of a bold 'No Dig' system and extensive use of  green manures. Our aims include growing for crafts, 'ethnic' and traditional Kentish crops, conservation and habitat creation.

All of this is currently done on a donation basis, time and materials being generously donated.

if you have experience in any of the following we would like to hear from you for the future and particularly with our future viability very much in mind:

Mulch Maker (large volume mixed compost essential for a 'No Dig' system)
Community Engagement
Growing
Fund raising and grant application
Hop growing
Bee keeping
Permaculture
Craft and craft workshops

Thanks

Laurence

Email us at the East Malling CSA (Communigrow) web site laurence@joininghandskent.co.uk

all will be cultivated this season

All is good considering the circumstances and lots achieved, problems identified and preparations are well under way for the new community structure and setting up as a viable market garden in its own two feet.

The old Communigrow plot is under control and will be sown or planted this month. I had expected it to be much harder to get the weeds under control. There are several beds on the new area, token beds of beans, peas, onions, carrots and beetroot along with large areas of green manures and cover crops, there are many more beds to come (80 in all) and all will be cultivated this season, which is impressive with only mine and Betsy's donations (no funding at all) and only my own labour. Needless to say I am much fitter now!

We are forging links with the local box scheme in Maidstone and in Greenwich to supply seasonal vegetables. I have many plans for the craft and the added value produce, bees, a stil etc. I do not believe there are many, if any, issues on the exclusions with East Malling Research.

I have yet to commence the community building, people are often keen to talk about the ideas but less keen to get their hands dirty. I put this down to the fact that we lack our clear and open structure for people to understand, take on board and to be involved in forming. We have the idea of a short term 'Voluntary Unincorporated Association' as a vehicle to progress on this front. It is vital to me to have people to work with. There is so much potential. The 'Bencom' and CSA would follow from that core group.

The issues highlighted by Plunkett Foundation and their support under Making Local Food Work  are important factors that make future viability feasible at the site.

workshop and roundtable-sharing days, 'Cultivating Networks' will be delivered by the Plunkett Foundation (plunkett.co.uk) and Sustain (sustainweb.org)

Cultivating Networks project that will seek to strengthen existing and emerging networks, as well as drawing on the knowledge of others, to help
networks become more resilient.
What next?
Please complete our online survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2ZGQRX8
Look out for more information about how to take part, which will be released soon. And let us know if you would like to be involved! Contact Monica Dolan at the Plunkett Foundation on 01993 814385 or email monica.dolan@plunkett.co.uk.
https://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/about/cultivatingnetworks.cfm

Cultivating Networks

About Cultivating Networks

Making Local Food Work has provided advice and a wide range of support services to over 1,300 community food enterprises in England since 2007, as well as exploring the policies, structures, support services and financial circumstances
that can help community food enterprises to grow and thrive, now and long into the future.It has supported research and policy actitivites to help create a more favourable environment for community food enterprises to thrive. 

What are networks?

Networks are one of the support structures that have a key role to play in creating a more favourable environment for community food enterprises. Effective and highly valued networks already exist to help various sectors of the local food movement
to thrive and grow. From September 2012, Making Local Food Work will run a year-long Cultivating Networks project that will seek to strengthen existing and emerging networks, as well as drawing on the knowledge of others, to help
networks become more resilient.

How will we do this?

Cultivating Networks will be delivered by the Plunkett Foundation (plunkett.co.uk) and Sustain (sustainweb.org). It will include events such as workshop and roundtable-sharing days in central locations, as well as 1-to-1 bespoke advice and ‘How to’ guides.

Who should join?

It may be that you do not formally identify your group as a ‘network’, but if you have the following, Cultivating Networks may be able to support you:

• members - including local community groups and individuals interested in promoting local and sustainable food to achieve a wide range of social and environmental benefits

• membership services

• a need to gain more expertise on key areas such as sustainable food finance, community shares,

• collaborative buying, marketing and assurance marks

• a community enterprise approach to food – in whole or in part.

You should join in if you:

• want to learn more about key skills and proven models

• would benefit from receiving bespoke advice

• have ideas you want to share or have knowledge you could provide training on.

What next?

Please complete our online survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2ZGQRX8
Look out for more information about how to take part, which will be released soon. And let us know if you would like to be involved! Contact Monica Dolan at the Plunkett Foundation on 01993 814385 or email monica.dolan@plunkett.co.uk.

Lavender plants for sale, well rooted, will grow to 18" tall..........

Lavender plants for sale, Munstead, small at the moment but well rooted, will grow to 18" tall..........

10 for £20, 20 for £30.

Maximum 30x per person.

Sell for £2.99 in the shops.

Grab a bargain and support my work for the Community Market Garden

Ready in July and I can deliver to local London.

Paypal or cash

lavender@eggsfromscratch.com

(will end up looking like this......)

Lavender 'Munstead'

Lavendula angustifolia (English lavender)

Hardy Shrub

A cottage garden classic! Brush past its evergreen foliage to release the intense perfume of this compact lavender. Its delicate purple blue flowers held on stiff stems, attract bees and other insects; they also make excellent cut or dried flowers. Grow Lavender Munstead in containers, as a low hedge, or to soften paths and patio edges. Just be sure to plant it where you can savour its beguiling fragrance! Height: 45cm (18"). Supplied as plug tray plants.

Culinary information: Some parts of these flowers are edible.

Ideal For:

coastal garden, cut flower garden, hedges, low maintenance garden, patio, scented gardens, wildlife gardens

Flowering Period:

July, August, September

Position:

full sun