Kindling's Chris and Debbie Clarke from Abundance Manchester have just returned from a leadership course in historic Stirling run by BTCV Scotland. The course, over three days, covered leadership techniques; well being and health & safety of volunteers; motivation and assertiveness, as well as more practical things like risk assessment and manual handling skills.
Always wanting to make the most of an opportunity, We also met up with Forth Valley Food Links and a Stirling Council staff member to discuss and share ideas around sustainable accessible food. Stirling Council first adopted a sustainable development strategy in 2006 (with a detailed action plan) and is now exploring further opportunities to increase access to sustainable food. Forth Valley Food Links was established back in 1999 and is supported by the NHS in 'linking individuals and communities in partnership with food producers to increase access to fresh local produce enabling long term social, health, environmental and economic benefits' - an aim very similar to FeedingManchester.
The purpose for attending the British Trust for Conservation Volunteer's course was the embryonic plans for a 'land army' involving volunteers, placements and apprenticeships in Manchester's growing sustainable food system. The idea was inspired by the women's land armies of the First & Second World Wars, and offers a solution to a number of challenges faced by local organic growers including:
- Labour issues and costs for local growers at busy periods e.g. harvest time.
- Lack of skilled labour for illness and holiday cover.
- More growers are needed to meet future demand.
- Lack of a way into growing commercially for individuals.
- Lack of opportunity for practical involvement in sustainable food systems.
To progress this idea, Kindling submitted a first stage application to Making Local Food Work's Local Food Systems support programme and has made it to the second stage. The more detailed application has just been completed and if successful would see guidance experts and some funding to develop a financially sustainable model to engage large numbers of Mancunians in commercial food production.
For more information about the Land Army proposal please visit the Forum.
For more information about BTCV's courses click here.