31 Aug 2023
2023 SURF Annual Conference: Community Growing – entering un-chard-ed territory
How can community food growing contribute to Scotland’s health, wealth and environment?
Overview
Our fundamental food requirements are under extreme pressure due to the ongoing energy crisis. But even before recent events, food that was good for our pockets, our health, and the natural environment was in crisis.
In July 2022 the Scottish Parliament passed the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act which requires the Scottish Government, health boards and local authorities to produce good food plans to affect these outcomes:
(a) social and economic wellbeing,
(b) the environment,
(c) health and physical and mental wellbeing,
(d) economic development,
(e) animal welfare,
(f) education, and
(g) child poverty.
Through both the SURF Awards, our Alliance for Action Programme and our network we know that some communities are already deliver these outcomes. Food is frequently intrinsic to community led regeneration: growing and cooking, sharing fairly, as a source of employment or training, delivering community cohesion and improved health and wellbeing.
Programme
10:00 Registration and networking with music from Feis Phaislig
10:30 Welcome and Introduction: Euan Leitch, Chief Executive, SURF
10:40 Opening Address: Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Scottish Government
11.00 Presentation on Good Food Nation: Mary Brennan, University of Edinburgh
11:30 Presentation: Karen Davidson and Lou Evans, Get Growing Scotland
11:50 Panel Session and Q&A led by Get Growing Scotland
- Mo McCormick, Concrete Garden
- Bruce Newlands, Inverclyde Shed
- Eugenie Aroutcheff, Grow 73
- Martin Gerrish, Grow Food Grow Dunoon
- Marie-Amelie Viatte, Advocate for regenerative localised food ecosystems
- Ayesha Mir, The Ripple Project
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Presentation on Glasgow Food Plan: Jill Muirie, Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH)
13:50 Presentation: Greig Robertson, Edible Estates
14:10 Presentation: Nancy Barr, Larkhall Community Growers
14:25 Panel Session led by SURF Vice-Chair Diane Gray
- Susie Stott, Queens Cross Housing Association
- Iain Sutherland, Manswood Allotments
- Jill Muirie, Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH)
- Greig Robertson, Edible Estates
- Lucy Gillie, South Seeds
- Nancy Barr, Larkhall Community Growers
14:55 Presentation on Campy Growers: Kate Treharne, Dundee City Council
15:15 Presentation on Girvan Tattie Fest: Zanne Domoney-Lyttle, SURF – Girvan Alliance for Action
15:30 Q&A
15:40 Storyteller Daniel Serridge
15:50 What’s Next: Emma Scott, SURF
15:55 Closing Remarks: Brian MacDonald, SURF Chair
16:00 Close
Even if you are not involved in community growing, this conference is still for you as it will reach into wider regeneration outcomes.
Join us for a day in Kilmarnock to celery-brate community growers and explore how we widen the opportunities for all to grow food that is good for us, our communities, and the planet.
Presentations
