The Project aims to use vacant spaces throughout South Kintyre to develop growing spaces where people can grow fruit and vegetables to assist with resilience, food security and alleviate food poverty.
Estimated Price
100000
SKDT already operates the gateway garden (under licence from ACHA), as well as the putting green and herb garden (under licence from ABC) and the Robert Black Memorial Helipad (owner operator).
SKDT has well developed plans in place for these areas, which we would obviously like to see being well used by the community.
The creation of the Gateway Garden over the last 18 months has provided opportunities for food growing, education and intergenerational activity which are identified actions in the Campbeltown Community Action Plan (2022 – 2027). The Growing Project will also go some way towards developing local resilience and food security.
The initial redevelopment of the Gateway Garden, which is in a prominent location at the entrance to the town, has given impetus to other volunteers and potential gardeners to come forward.
Unfortunately, the limited size of the current garden area has restricted the number of growing plots available. The Growing Project would allow us to identify other suitable growing areas which we can develop in a gradual and progressive way,
The, now ceased, Campbeltown Community Garden has donated their remaining plant and equipment to SKDT, now in storage, which will give us a head start in developing new growing spaces.
We also have a large selection of lawnmowers, gardening tools, hoses and other items which we can use for this project. However we will still need to acquire additional equipment and sundries (gloves, boots, compost, fertiliser etc) to allow us to proceed.
We will look to access additional funding to develop the project further via local funding through e.g. Common Good Fund, MACC and Campbeltown Community Windfarm Fund.
The main focus of this expansive project will be to attract, retain and train volunteers to get their hands dirty and get digging, weeding and planting.
As well as our own volunteers, there is another group of volunteers who have been looking after the bus terminal area. We will work alongside and support both of these groups. We will access additional training and advice from a network of community gardens throughout Scotland.
We would also continue and expand our work with the local schools on developing their own gardens and teaching kids the benefits of growing your own food. This would also allow for some important intergenerational activities which improve the lives of young and old.
We will also support and lobby for the provision of allotments for people to grow their own produce.
