Communigrow is a project now in our 4th growing season. We have a fab plot to develop beyond the 2.5 acres currently under cultivation and need help to progress on this, other sites and get organised. This is not an experts job, more for a group of people committed to the very general aim of sustainability and sharing this with as many people as possible. The skills and ability will naturally follow through creating an inspiring enterprise.
No experience required but some skills in pioneering projects and a keen interest and energy in farming may be an advantage to progress the Communigrow plot at East Malling and other potential sites in Kent.
All under Community Supported, charitable, model for local, sustainably produced food, crafts, conservation and enterprise.
Contact Laurence@communigrow.org for more info on the role of developer and the team we wish to build for this season. The role of a developer will be essential for this to progress.
East Malling CSA plot has been in preparation over the last year on a raised bed system with mostly cover crops and green manures and a few winter veg. This spring will maximise the 2 acres to supply for the local 'share' scheme and sales with surplus to 'Food Access' organisations in Maidstone and South East London. The intention is to move towards no dig permanent beds of mixed annual and craft crops including aromatic herbs, cut flowers and trial beds of heritage and unusual plants like these soya.
Student nurse Louise approached East Malling Research back in 2011 with an idea for community growing. With Joining Hands, a local 'Not for Profit' organisation, Communigrow started working with local people wishing to grow more food themselves.
With support from The Plunkett Foundation and 'Making Local Food Work' we have expert advice on establishing a substantial market garden on site to produce a wide range of seasonal produce in volume, enough to feed over 200 local families and for sale to a wider region.
The Plunkett Foundation today is best know for its work helping rural
communities to set up and run a range of community-owned co-operatives,
including community shops, co-operative pubs and community food
enterprises. Through 2013 we have researched the feasibility of this plot and further sites throughout Kent and open membership to 'Communigrow CSA - Ditton' from the 2014 growing season.
A large part of this is to provide good healthy food to people who otherwise may not or cannot consider this currently. We would target lower income families, unskilled people and older generations and would aim to get as many people as possible to contribute in some way in the growing which should bring health benefits of an active lifestyle.
To this aim we need to continue the work on the ground, form a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation to employ local people as our growing team, create more awareness of our project and encourage membership.
Once we have done this and have active members and consumers we shall consider the role we may contribute to more specialist work.
Developer role is very much as a pioneer to establishing the plot itself and key structural developments as a charitable organisation
To detail this role would be very hard as the project encompasses many elements of farming and social enterprise and all its sustainable growing, craft and conservation, the community role - membership etc. It is centred around the Communigrow plot but as we do have further land to develop it may be an expanding network of plots.
Involvement need not be full time. The aim would be to build on the current team to organise, form the new enterprise and then run all, and maybe more. There should be plenty of scope to integrate a wide range of skills and abilities into the 'team' with varied commitment and remuneration over time to reflect this. I would not suggest anyone should give up their day job just yet but if you feel like a challenge then it may be something you can associate with. The aims and objectives set out will continue to guide and nurture the project beyond the current test and trial stage but energy and enthusiasm as inputs will boost it along, giving rewards for all much faster. Certainly with the current team we simply do not have the time to do everything, only basic functions to give something to hopefully inspire.
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