Somerset Local Food Update, November 2013

Read the latest news from the thriving community food network in Somerset...

Somerset Local Food Update, November 2013

Hello & welcome to the Somerset Local Food Update brought to you by Incredible Edible Somerset. We hope you find this information useful & inspiring.

Community Growers Come Together in Taunton

More than 30 people came together for the Community Growers Gathering that took place on Saturday 19th October 2013, three days after World Food Day.

People traveled from across the South West to participate in the day. Click here to read a write-up of the day & see the links to resources generated.

Could you help organise with Incredible Edible Somerset?

Incredible Edible Somerset is fortunate to have received funding & support from local Somerset Community Food as part of the Somerset Land & Food Project, which unfortunately comes to an end in December.

Now its up to the 170+ people that are on the website, and the hundreds more that have participated in events and projects for the last four years to decide what next for Incredible Edible Somerset, how to keep this fruitful network going.

If you would be interested in joining a working group to support this grassroots network to stay alive and connected please email nicole.vosper@somersetcommunityfood.org.uk. A working group meeting is planned for January and exciting ideas are already circulating.

New Course with Charles Dowding

Somerset Market Gardener & Author Charles Dowding has designed a new course to introduce learners to No Dig Market Gardening at more of a commercial scale. It is taking place on December 14th & 15th 2013. For more information and to book visit: http://incredible-edible-somerset.ning.com/profiles/blogs/weekend-course-on-no-dig-market-gardening

Featured Project: Oxford Real Farming Conference

So its not in Somerset but we wanted to promote an important food & farming event that takes place every January - The Oxford Real Farming Conference. The ORFC gathers farmers, activists, researchers and consumers to discuss the future of food and farming. It is full of interesting speakers, workshops & farm visits and looks at all the social, economic and ecological issues involved in transforming our food system. Click here for full information about the Conference: http://www.oxfordrealfarmingconference.org. Book your place today.

Send us your news

The Somerset Local Food Update is your chance to let other people know about all the great projects happening around the county. Please share your story and keep us updated with latest events, volunteering opportunities and ways people can support you. Email Nicole if you would like to be featured

No Dig Gardening Courses
With Charles Dowding, various throughout the year

Day Courses with the Magdalen Project
Throughout the Summer

Events at Vallis Veg
Huge range of events taking place at Vallis Veg near Frome this year from insect ID to building earth ovens

Orchard Groundcare Cider Making Workshops
Homblotton

Green Care, White Care: Gardening and Growing for Health Seminar
18 November

Landworkers Alliance AGM
Devon 23 & 24 November

Communities Buying Land Training Day
Birmingham, 27 November

National CSA Conference
December 3, Stroud

Organising an event & want to get it listed? Add it to the Incredible Edible Somerset Website here or email Nicole

New Catalogue from Local Seedsman. FFI click here.

Could you be a host farm for the Soil Association Future Growers scheme? Find out more here.

New videos about what its like to take on an allotment. View them here.

Heads Up are looking for someone or a group to take on the piece of land around their centre to grow food and possibly work with their service users. To enquire about this opportunity contact bridget@headsupsomerset.org.uk or sally@headsupsomerset.org.uk or telephone either Bridget Harvey or Sally Dempsey on 01749 670667

Alda is keen to start a community garden on Windmill Hill in Glastonbury. Interested in getting involved? Email: joyalda@gmail.com

Read the latest entry in the Thought for Food Blog

Postcards are available to advertise Incredible Edible Somerset, email Nicol e if you'd like some posted to you to distribute.

Several resources for anyone and everyone wanting to grow and cook food, start projects and access land can now still be found online here.

Find a full page of local & national grants available to community food projects here.

Land Wanted

1. Exford Parish Council are looking for land for a new allotment site, less than 1 hectare.
2. If you are a landowner willing to lease land for community growing in any of these parishes or in and around the towns below, please let us know or contact the Parish Clerks directly:

Gurney Slade, Butleigh, Chilcompton, Kilmersdon, Meare, Mells, Wells, Frome & Westbury Sub Mendip

3. A group is looking for land in Cotford St Luke. 01823 430152.
4. Daniel Sweeting is looking for land of around 500 sq. metres in size or similar to rent in the Cannington/Bridgwater area for growing vegetables on. Does not need to contain shed but some access to water would be helpful. FFI: daniel@daniel46.orangehome.co.uk

Land Available

Two home owners have approached us, one in Creech St Michael & one in Wells with large gardens that could be utilised by an individual or keen family wanting to grow. FFI contact Nicole.

Plots are available now at the Oathill Allotments site, in Clapton near Crewkerne. The site has spring water & will accomodate two, twenty metre polytunnels. You will have the opportunity to develop your own personal growing space & share skills with your fellow growers. FFI: Jill Strawbridge on 01308 868452 or email jill_straw@hotmail.com

Allotment plots are available in Faulkland. Enquiries to either Edward Drewe on 01373834286 or Parish clerk on 01373834900

For full details & to add your request to this noticeboard, click here.

*Sign Up to Incredible Edible Somerset

*Add your events & news & promote the site to your friends

*Do research for your community & add your findings to Food Mapper

*Get Growing! Contact Incredible Edible Somerset for support to help you find land, tools & others to get growing

*Grow local, buy local, love local - become a district representative of Incredible Edible Somerset.

For more ways to get involved, click here & make sure you get in touch.