COMMUNITY food growing schemes are flourishing in Cornwall but urgently need access to more land, funding and skills in order to expand and thrive, according to a new report.

The inquiry into the state of community growing schemes in Cornwall aimed to measure its impacts, benefits and barriers to future growth. 

The joint working group that undertook this was set up by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board with a newly set up Sustainable Food Cornwall and the Exeter University’s Environment and Sustainability Institute, which is based at Penryn.

According to the report: “Existing growing schemes throughout Cornwall succeed against the odds as they overcome barriers including a shortage of suitable land, inadequate funding, short-term leaseholds, lack of infrastructure and equipment." 

“There is not enough land available to satisfy the existing demand for community growing spaces, and that demand is increasing,” the report concludes. “Most community growing schemes would benefit from additional skills, funding, resources, and support to flourish and deliver their full community value.”

Thousands of people are currently involved in above 60 community-growing spaces around Cornwall. These make a lot of benefits including:

  • New community relationships
  • Training and skills
  • Business, development, and environmental improvements

As the report states, these schemes use largely agroecological, regenerative, and low-input growing methods and vary from community-supported agriculture schemes and community orchards to community farms and gardens. 

Lord Robin Teverson, chair of the joint working group, said: “Community growing schemes, whether big or small, are an important dimension of local life in Cornwall.  Apart from the obvious opportunity for communities to grow their own produce, they give new skills and experience to individuals of all ages.

"They can be the only way that some families are able to put quality food on the table. For those with mental health difficulties, helping a growing scheme can be a real healer."

Bosavern Community Farm director Katie Kirk welcomed the report. “Community growing really engages people in growing fruit and veg and working with nature for local benefit,” she said. “The recommended actions and insights point to an exciting future for community growing in Cornwall that will lead to increased social innovation and resilience.”

Professor Jane Wills, Director of the University of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute, said that support for community growing schemes headed the list when community leaders in Cornwall were asked to name their top idea for making a positive contribution to people and the planet. 

“This report highlights all the wonderful work that is already being done and makes a number of recommendations about how we can better support and develop this work,” she said. “It would be great to see a step-change in efforts to connect landowners to local community groups in the months ahead.”