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Credit CrunchYou are in: Isle of Man > Credit Crunch > Can you dig it?  Can you dig it?If you are feeling impotent and frustrated in the face of spiralling food costs then it might be time to consider changing the way you live. Growing your own food can save you cash and improve your health. Growing vegetables sounds like a great idea. No food miles to feel guilty about, independence from large supermarket chains not to mention being able to treat your family and friends to the freshest food imaginable. It does however involve one very valuable commodity- land. Because of this, running an allotment has recently become the domain of the rich and trendy. More and more people are abandoning their stilettos for plastic gardening shoes and getting soil under their manicured nails. But this could all be about to change.  Mill and Amanda The Isle of Man Permaculture Association is hoping that allotments will soon be available to all local rate payers, not just the ones with enough available acres outside the front door. Mill Millichap and Amanda Griffin from the association both run allotments in Jurby and have been growing their own food for years. "The Isle of Man is still about 80% agricultural." says Amanda. "This makes it one of the best places for people to think about having an allotment. We are just looking into all the possibilities at the moment."  "I would like to see the day when everyone has the opportunity to grow their own food. This means the Isle of Man needs to find the land for those who want to get started." The land which Mill and Amanda work on is shared by a group of people, all of whom live near by and tend to their allotments regularly. Amanda loves the fact that there is a good mix of people working the land.  "On some allotments there are three generations involved. It really brings people together and that can only be a good thing. Some people have never had allotments before and within 4 months they are completely self-sufficient. It's a simple equation; you get out as much as you put in." Mill is proud of the kingdom he has created. "There is no where I would rather be than in my garden. I love it and I spend around 20 hours a week here. I am almost completely self-sufficient; in fact I am now growing more food than I need so I have started making a profit from selling on. That's a good feeling." "There are so many advantages to this way of life. Nutritionally, you are eating fresh, iron rich food and you know there are no chemicals to worry about. You are out in the countryside getting good exercise, enjoying fresh air and re-connecting with nature.  Sunflowers attract birds to your garden "There is also the cost issue to consider. My partner and I only need to spend around £30 a week on food now. When you are eating good food you don't need to eat as much because it is packed with all the trace elements your body needs." And if that's not enough to persuade you there are other reasons to consider growing your own. In his work in the realm of permaculture, Mill has done a lot of research into how our way of life impacts the global community.  Fresh vegetables "We have been depleting the world of natural resources with life styles which are heavily dependant on oil and gas. Those resources are about to run out and our current life styles will have to change. You can ignore all the signs but at the end of the day the energy that goes into denying the problem depletes the energy that should go in to dealing with it." "If we all make simple changes we can begin to mitigate the effects of climate chaos. Global warming, draught, flooding, and other natural disasters are a direct result of the way we are living in the West." "Having an allotment is one way of making a positive change." If you are inspired to add your voice to the call for more allotment space on the Isle of Man you can log onto www.permacultureiom.org or contact Mill on 07624 480882. last updated: 11/08/2008 at 08:21 Have Your SayWould you like to run your own allotment?
Angie Halsall
natalie garrett
eloise howard
katherine frankland-davis
Amanda Walker
nigel haymes
Chris
Amanda Griffin
Annette Heath
Gina
Trevor Nelson
H
Chris Stott
Peelite!
natalie p
Debbie
Robin Blackford
Trevor
Sherley Smith
Phil
mike linarez
Amanda Griffin
Amanda Griffin
Carol, Onchan
Greg
Dave Preece
Janine Lantry
Dave Crick
Ruth McDaid
Rebecca
Charlotte Brew
Petra Gorry
Richard Rice
Mark Sayle
Bean
Derek Murray
Elaine Ramsey
Pete SEE ALSOYou are in: Isle of Man > Credit Crunch > Can you dig it? |
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