It's taken three years, an unbelievably steep learning curve, a lot of patience of friends, relations and tutors alike, and a huge amount of time – but finally, on the 9th July 2010 Helen went to Glasgow to collect her MSc (with distinction) in Organic Farming.
Helen started studying Organic Farming as a distance learning course at Aberdeen's Scottish Agricultural College in 2007, and has learnt huge amounts over the three years. From building soil fertility, to planning crop rotations on a 200 hectare mixed farm; from the environmental benefits of farming techniques to the organic standards; from animal welfare issues to finances and marketing.
In the final year Helen focused on the practicalities of sustainable food systems for cities. The theme was inspired by various studies by the Kindling Trust about the food system in Manchester; a concern for the struggle of local organic farmers following a placement at Glebelands Market Garden in 2009; and by the interest and enthusiasm shown at the Global Crisis Organic Response debate in April 2009 and for the first FeedingManchester event.
Her report, entitled: Finding a Sustainable Food System for Manchester, explored a successful trading model to increase access to sustainable fruit and vegetables in Greater Manchester.
The main focus of the research was a series of interviews with people working in varying local food systems that supply cities, but also drawing on data from a survey and participant observation of Manchester growers and buyers meetings, to identify potential obstacles, solutions, lessons learnt as well as successes and difficulties in achieving all areas of sustainability.
A lot of lessons have been learned – with huge thanks to all those who participated in the research. The information will be used through a series of focus groups in the Winter of 2010, to support and inform the structure and workings of the new local organic growers and buyers group that is in the process of setting up. This process and the outcomes of it will be written up and made available to anyone else wanting to set up a similar sustainable local food system.
So it is the end of an era – a welcome break from the hard work and lack of free time, but a sad loss of regular times to meet with amazing and inspiring people who are working (or hope to) in organic farming. We owe a great deal of thanks to the group for their support and patience for Helen's newness to the subject (and for keeping her sane!), and really hope to stay in touch. The good news is Helen is back to give full focus to Kindling (well after a little catching up on sleep!),