Community boost for Welsh gardeners
25 October 2011
Gardeners in Wales are set to reap the benefits of a new three-year government-sponsored programme to encourage community gardening.
Tyfu Pobl ('Growing People'), funded by the Welsh Assembly and the European Union, gives allotments, community gardens, community orchards and city farms the chance to tap into a network of training and advice from a team of field workers and mentors.
Regional development workers help community groups across Wales, while a co-ordinator is available to give projects management advice and tips on identifying funding to help keep them viable despite the difficult economic climate.
The programme also connects projects across the country so they can share knowledge and expertise. As well as regional meetings where gardeners can learn new skills and swap ideas, there is a travel bursary scheme allowing groups to visit each other's sites.
The popularity of community gardening in Wales has rocketed in recent years. Project leaders the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens (FCFCG) estimate there are currently over 200 community growing projects either up and running, or being established – up from only 8 in 2008.
'We want to provide community gardeners with the right knowledge and expertise to enable them to manage their schemes as sustainably as possible,' said Katie Jones, of the FCFCG. 'We hope our work will help reconnect more people in Wales with food, nature and their communities.'