What are generally known as ‘grower groups’ are springing up all over the UK. One such, initiated by Dr Howard Lee at Hadlow College, has been vigorously taken up by a group of residents from the nearby village and expectations are that membership will grow. More Hadlow students are now also expressing interest in getting involved.

The college has provided the plot - some 25x50 metres - on the edge of the main campus in an area of hitherto uncultivated land. The initial tilling demanded determination and strong backs. The ground is predominantly heavy clay and was water-logged for some time but, once it had dried out sufficiently to withstand pressure from a tractor, the college helped by sending a huge load of organic compost material, which has been dug in to improve the structure of the soil.

The decision was made to construct a number of raised beds because it was considered this would facilitate both drainage and drought tolerance, as well as deter rabbits, of which there are huge numbers in the area.

The beds are being constructed using recycled scaffolding planks, but the construction progress is dictated by the availability of manpower - members of the group all have to work around their various commitments - and so it was decided, pending completion, that growing should commence in the soil. Several varieties of potatoes, a large range of soft fruits, peas and mangetout are all doing well - the biggest drawback to success relates to determined intervention by rabbits. College students are building secure fencing around the entire plot, but the work has to be carried out to fit in with their timetables and, consequently, the fence is not yet complete. An additional raised bed is being built from disused car tyres for the use of disabled gardeners.

As far as possible, recycled materials are being used throughout the entire project. The plot is subject to water-logging, so the decision was made to cover paths with recycled, hessian-backed carpet obtained from Freecycle - a worldwide initiative that matches up people who have items they want to dispose of with people who need them. The aim is to achieve a drastic reduction of the often usable goods consigned to landfill. At the same time, re-use of existing goods and materials cuts down on the quantities of new raw materials and energy that would be needed to manufacture the goods concerned. The idea, which originated in the US, is taking off in the UK and has already spread through many parts of the country. After the carpet paths are laid, they will be covered with bark chippings obtained as a waste product from a small local business.

The provision of water to the site has been covered by the installation of several butts - also obtained from Freecycle - and a substantial quantity of recycled weed-suppressant material has been donated by the college. The heavy clay soil needs the addition of further organic material and, to this end, the group has made compost bins using recycled materials. And there is also an intention to grow green manure crops, because growing plants to improve the structure and nutrient content of the soil is perceived as more environment-friendly - and considerably cheaper - than purchasing fertilisers and it complies with the ‘organic’ status desired by the group. The intention is to produce all crops organically. As far as possible, every element of the initiative is sustainable and it will continue in this way.

Nicola Canham, a member of the group who spent a period working at Yalding Organic, is the natural leader.

Lee, who heads up Hadlow College’s degree programme in sustainable land management - one of the few currently available in the UK - has long campaigned for communities to get together to produce food and energy and other vital commodities. He has read papers at conferences in various parts of the world advocating the importance and desirability of creating “sustainable communities”. The Hadlow Grower Group has evolved out of the aptly named HadLOW Carbon Group, which was established as a collaborative venture between Hadlow College and the nearby village in 2007. Although low-carbon groups are emerging all over the UK, it is believed that the HadLOW initiative is the first group to bring together village residents and a land-based college. The mutual benefits derived are inestimable.

The college’s degree in sustainable land management examines the social, environmental and economic factors involved in procuring a sustainable future. Policy options, planning considerations, urban and peri-urban sustainability must all be considered. Graduates are expected to fill emerging specialist roles demanding knowledge and ability to problem solve in an entirely new professional field.

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