Tackling the biodiversity crisis with grass roots people power.
Tucked off the main road through Penryn, behind St Gluvias church, what was once an empty field is now a hub of community, crops and hope. Loveland is one of three branches of the Falmouth Food Co-op, an organisation that aims to provide wholesome, local and healthy food, for those most in need, in a way that has a net positive impact on nature.
Founded in 2021, the work has bloomed into many facets, almost entirely achieved by volunteers. I spoke with Finley, the lead co-ordinator and permaculture specialist on the work they do and what it is like.
“I am the grower at Loveland, so I work here running the market garden, growing and selling produce to Falmouth and Penryn… I started work here maybe to two and a bit years ago. Just straight out of uni. I created and designed the plot, everything, started from scratch.”
There are two main growing sites; the market garden grows food for local restaurants and cafes, while the community garden is open for anyone to come along, get stuck in, and grow what they like. The produce is then shared amongst the volunteers, trusting that no one will take more than they need or what is fair.
The market garden also produces food for the Falmouth food co-op free “meals on wheels” that goes out to anyone who feels that they need it, no questions asked. The organisation has given out over 60,000 meals to those most in need since the pandemic and through the ongoing cost of living crisis.
There is a strong principle of working in harmony with nature, and Finley tells of how their farming methods are not only less destructive to the environment, but even have regenerative properties.
“We’re using people power rather than, you know, fossil fuels and tractors… It's also hyper local, I'm only selling to around a 3-mile radius from the field, and we’re growing a massive diversity of around 40 different crops in this area”.
Typically, farmers grow food using mass mono-crop, which Finley explains is damaging our eco-systems over time.
“One type of crop and one variety is reliant on being nursed with fertilisers and pesticides to keep it alive. There’s no diversity there.”
A lack of diversity in vegetation, flowers, etc. means that there is no room for wildlife to survive, and without wildlife and insects, the quality of the soil suffers, which in turn, eventually effects crops, and even the whole wider ecosystems.
“It's just one crop that's exploiting that soil. Whereas when you grow the loads of different crops, you know it's using different depths of the soil and different nutrients. And through sustainable fertility management, we're adding health to the soil.”
Finley’s knowledge on the environment and regenerative farming practices is starkly apparent, along with his passion, expressing his enthusiasm to spread awareness and techniques. The impacts of the site and the community go beyond providing food to those in need in an environmentally friendly way, but extends to education and wellbeing.
“You can come and help out, pick my brains, get stuck in and learn. A lot of people will come and they've got their own gardens and they're just looking for a way to learn.”
The group have recently been pairing up with GP’s and other organisations to offer specifically tailored support for people who are struggling with their mental or physical health, what’s known as “social prescribing”.
“Instead of getting prescribed medicine from the doctors, they're getting prescribed to spend more time outdoors. So we've been working with projects like the Dracena Centre and the Job Centre and we've had people come up with actual needs that have been diagnosed, and it's been beautiful having that... For lots of people it's really life changing for them, actually. People come here in a really bad state of mind and over a matter of weeks, people really find purpose and it's really beautiful to see that… But it’s good for anyone to spend time with other people, learn new things and do a bit of exercise. You know, all these things will help anyone.”
Loveland welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and circumstances, being happy to accommodate for any personal needs. Attending evidently means a lot as volunteer Lizzie stated:
“To me, Loveland is like a lifeline to people. The Dracena centre suggested that I come here to help me with my recovery because mentally I was very ill and physically very ill... It’s very accepting, nobody expects too much of you, so basically it helps you grow… I love this place because it gave me my life back.”
Other arms of the community are the herbal medicine garden, and a heritage grains plot where the team experiment with growing different strains of native and nearly extinct grains, all harvested by hand.
There’s also a wildflower garden, as well as a budding orchard further down the hill. The team have plans to develop the site further, with hopes for a proper structure where they can take breaks, as currently, there is only a small outdoor shelter. Though it doesn’t stop the team coming out in all weathers at all times of the year.
Currently there is a planning permission application for polytunnels, which will enable the site to produce more vegetables all year round, enabling the site to generate more funds and become self-sufficient itself. At present, Loveland is part reliant on donations and grant funding, though this is not a long-term solution.
“The first year was just setting up. Last year was sort of the first season. And now we're growing a lot more. We're looking to expand, get polytunnels and sort of get into a place where it's really sustainable as its own little business.”
There’s a Crowdfunder being launched in the next month, in conjunction with a “match grant”, where a company has pledged an amount, but require 20% to be raised by Loveland themselves, so keep an eye out! This will help pay for a wheelchair access path, a proper structure, and other essentials.
The group welcome volunteers on a drop-in basis with no need to schedule, 10am – 1pm Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you would like to get involved in any other way, do contact them via email at: grocery@falmouthfood.coop
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