New people to look after the land

It is a time of change here at ‘The Field’ and we are not sure quite what is going to happen in 2009 and onwards. For a number of reasons we (Ken and Addy) have decided to look at the possibility of leaving the land and going to live somewhere warmer (probably tropical) where we can continue to develop perennial food systems with the particular intention of developing virtual self-sufficiency in food within as short a space of time as possible. If finances and other factors allow we may be going to look at possibilities at some point during this coming year.

Before leaving, one of our main priorities will be to ensure the safety of the land here in Cornwall. Therefore we are looking for like-minded people who would like to take on responsibility for caring for a part of it once we are gone. We have already set up a land club which includes a number of people who have taken on a responsibility for part of the land. What we are looking for now is for a person/people who would like to look after the main area of land around the shed where most of the Plants for a Future plantings took place.

Anyone interested in becoming involved would have to be able to find somewhere to live in the area since, at present, there is no planning permission for people to live at the land. There are a number of opportunities to establish a business based on activities at the land such as a plant nursery or providing specialist restaurants with alternative salads and edible flowers. There is also the possibility of obtaining some part-time gardening employment from a nearby person who is very interested in growing plants by the Plants for a Future method.

Anyone wishing to become involved would need to spend some time working with us as volunteers on the land in order to become acquainted with the project. In addition, special priority will be given to people who have been involved with the land in the past. If you are interested in this opportunity and would like further information, then please can you phone us on 01208 873554 (the Land) or 01208 871253 (house in Lerryn). You are likely to get the answerphone, so please leave a message with your phone number and we will get back to you. Alternatively, you can email us with more details about yourself – our address is kenfern1@btinternet.com.

(From Ken & Addy Fern)