Following this award, Growing Local aims to run approximately 10 workshops across Northmavine communities in 2022 to support people to get growing or develop their existing growing skills and knowledge – including those with limited growing space at home.  The workshops will be provided by Transition Turriefield – a very well-established growing initiative which holds regular training and advice throughout Shetland, with extensive experience in growing topics such as soil health, undercover growing, pests and diseases, dealing with weeds, composting, how to extend the growing season, growing on a small scale for income generation and much more (more details at www.turriefieldveg.co.uk).

These workshops will be provided in part during several growing-themed events set to take place in Northmavine during the 2022 growing season, including a plant sale, makers’ market and garden and produce show.  Additionally, workshops will be provided to users of several new and existing growing spaces being developed within the community, with the aim of maximising potential community ‘ownership’ of these spaces, as well as supporting Growing Local project outcomes including an increase in community food security and reduction in food miles.

CSGN is one of the largest environmental projects of its kind in Europe, and is designed to support, link up and build on existing partnerships and programmes with the objective of improving wellbeing in Scotland. The 2021/22 fund of £100,000 is the first time that projects from across Scotland have been invited to apply.  More details can be found here:  CSGN Growing Food Together Fund: Awards Made to Thirteen Projects – Central Scotland Green Network

As we come to the end of 2021, we look back at the “Growing Local” activities of this year, as well as what is to come in 2022

The “Growing Local” project – which set out to support folk growing their own food – ends the year having developed a strong network of enthusiasts sharing local produce and expertise.

Northmavine Community Development Company’s (NCDC) Growing Local initiative took root in January with a Crown Estate grant seeking to nurture Shetland’s flourishing interest in food sustainability.

Already the scheme has seen hundreds of people flock to a Makers’ Market to buy local produce, arts and crafts.

Project leaders now hope to build on their success with new initiatives, events and even a “crofting trail app”.

Project coordinator Mark Ratter said: “There is no shortage of enthusiasm within the community for the project, and a real desire from existing growers and crofters to ensure a culture of growing in the community can continue.”

Mr Ratter said research had been carried out to understand the obstacles preventing people from growing, such as a lack of time and space, which the project sought to address.

It also aims to provide a regular supply of sustainable and affordable local produce.

Mr Ratter added: “One key aspect is to have local produce available at a range of events, not least so more folk can try it and see how good it tastes, and become increasingly familiar with the value of locally-produced food.”

The first such event, a Makers’ Market at Hillswick Public Hall in August, was attended by more than 300 visitors who turned out to buy produce and crafts as well as watching food demonstrations and listening to live music.

Mr Ratter said NCDC now hoped to hold regular growing-themed events around the region, including a plant sale, garden produce show, and a return of the Makers’ Market.  Further plans include a Polycrub open day and workshops led by Transition Turriefield.

The team is also looking to develop community-owned growing spaces across these areas, complete with polycrubs and raised beds.  They are also helping the volunteers at Nort Trow Community Garden to look at ways of sustaining it for the future.

NCDC has become merchants for Shetland Kale Seed and is selling packs at Plantiecrub and local events.  The partnership with crofters aims to promote the crop in Shetland and further afield.  An online sales platform launches next year.

A further partnership with the Rural Food Tourism Places project is hoping to create the crofter trail app, promoting traditional growing techniques used by Northmavine crofters, and saving them from being lost.

Visitors will be able to download the app and take a guided trail around the region, listening to audio including interviews of locals telling the crofting stories of the area.

The project has also worked beside Grow Shetland to see the creation of the North Mainland Food Growers’ Group, which is set to hold its first meeting in person in early March 2022.

To coincide with this, Olach Designs – a knitwear company owned by a very talented local hand knitter – has very kindly proposed that her proceeds from sales of her beautiful ‘Kaleyard Beanie’ (inspired by the colours of Shetland Kale, pictured) will also go towards our Shetland Kale projects.  At the current time, her knitwear pattern is available to purchase in Jamiesons of Shetland (Lerwick), or online here:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kaleyard-beanie

Growing Local also had a stall featuring a range of locally grown produce, Shetland kale seed packs, and Olach Designs’ beautiful Shetland Kale Beanie pattern.  Additionally, food demonstrations were provided by Kirsty and Wills Sandilands, and live music was provided by the Northmavine Fiddle & Accordion Club.

Fortunately, the weather on the day was mild and sunny, and so tables and chairs were set up outside the hall so folk could enjoy their Sunday teas with a view over Ura Firth, whilst listening to some great live folk music.

The event exceeded all expectations, with up to an estimated 300 folk passing through the hall over the course of the afternoon.  This included a great mix of local folk and tourists, creating a real buzz around the hall.  Between Growing Local’s stall selling produce, and Kirsty Sandilands’ food demonstrations, a very respectable £205.67 was also raised for the Nort Trow Garden.