On Tuesday 24th September the Environment Section made a visit to Grow.
Co-founder Sheena Brockie was there to meet us and show us around.
What is Grow?
It is a large field at the rear of Surville Cemetery and consists of 10 x 100 meters long pollinator patches which run between alleys of trees and vegetables. This method integrates fruit and nut trees and crops all within the same field.
They are tended by the Grow volunteers (anyone is welcome) to benefit those without ready access to sufficient nutritional food. In this age of Ultra Processed Foods with low/no nutritional content, having negative effects on our bodies and minds, Grow has been set up to address this and the social issues behind poor mental health. Sustainability is at the core of what they are doing, making a significant, positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of Islanders whilst also providing education and awareness on issues such as climate emergency, regenerative agriculture, critical decline of pollinators, and responsible soil management.
Sheena explained that the excess organic vegetables grown there have been sent to (amongst other destinations) the Samaritan kitchen, and turned into soup for the lunchtime meals.
The hedgerows are carefully nurtured. These are rich in wildlife, providing food and shelter for many of the island’s birds, insects and mammals. They also serve as corridors, connecting habitats.
Children from many of the town schools with little access to the countryside are bussed to Grow to experience hands on gardening and to enjoy an outdoor experience.
Sheena explained that Grow carry out a number of surveys throughout the year and share that data with the Jersey Biodiversity Centre. So far this has included:
• Soil sampling
• Butterfly transects
• Tree surveys
• Earthworm counts
• Botany survey
• Monthly bird surveys
• Bat surveys
• Flower Insect Timed counts
Future plans for Grow, amongst others, include polytunnels and a sensory garden.
If you want to learn more, please click on the link below:
PowerPoint Presentation (squarespace.com)
