Community food growing needs more sustained support
Community food growing schemes are flourishing in Cornwall but they urgently need more land, funding and skills in order to expand and thrive, according to a new report produced by Sustainable Food Cornwall and Exeter University.
Existing schemes are succeeding against the odds as they overcome barriers like a shortage of suitable land, inadequate funding, short-term leaseholds, lack of infrastructure and equipment, the report says.
“There is not enough land available to satisfy existing demand for community growing spaces, and that demand is increasing,” it concludes. “Most community growing schemes would benefit from additional skills, funding, resources and support to flourish and deliver their full community value.”
The report was undertaken by a joint working group set up by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board with Sustainable Food Cornwall and the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute based at Penryn.
Its inquiry into the state of community growing was in response to a call from community leaders in Cornwall last year. Support for community growing schemes headed the list when they were asked to name their top idea for making a positive contribution to people and planet.
Thousands of people are involved in more than 60 community growing spaces across Cornwall varying from community supported agriculture schemes and community orchards to community farms and gardens. Most use agroecological, regenerative and low-input growing methods.
They produce a wide range of benefits including good quality food, new community relationships, training and skills, business development and environmental improvements. But they also face enormous challenges, the report reveals.
Useful case studies highlight some of the larger schemes – Bosavern Community Farm at St Just, Camel Community Supported Agriculture at Wadebridge, Growing Links at Penzance, Loveland in Penryn, Newquay Orchard in Newquay, Soul Farm in Flushing, and Tamar Grow Local in Callington.
The report also lists all known community growing schemes in Cornwall and summarises a survey of parish and town councils undertaken by Cornwall Association of Local Councils.
Lord Robin Teverson, chair of the joint working group, emphasised that community growing schemes, whether big or small, were already an important dimension of local life in Cornwall.
“Apart from the obvious opportunity for communities to grow their own produce, they give new skills and experience to individuals of all ages,” he said. “They can be the only way that some families are able to put quality food on the table. For those with mental health difficulties, helping a growing scheme can be a real healer.”
Bosavern Community Farm director Katie Kirk was delighted with the report. “Community growing really engages people in growing fruit and veg and working with nature for local benefit,” she said. “The recommended actions and insights point to an exciting future for community growing in Cornwall that will lead to increased social innovation and resilience.”
Professor Jane Wills, director of Exeter University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute, praised all the wonderful work that is already being done.
“The report aimed to measure impacts, benefits and barriers to future growth and makes a number of recommendations about how we can better support and develop this work. It would be great to see a step-change in efforts to connect landowners to local community groups in the months ahead,” she said.
Community Growing in Cornwall The impact and potential of local sustainable food growing in Cornwall – produced by Sustainable Food Cornwall and the University of Exeter, supported by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board’s Community Growing Working Group.