Growing in Small Spaces: Food Growers Collective

Join us at Muirpark allotments in Tranent where we will talk about growing in small spaces, from small gardens to wee community spaces to allotments. 

We will be joined by Dr Stan da Prato, who has allotment there. Stan has an incredibly impressive history in growing and supporting leading organisations in the horticultural field. He is Honorary President of North Berwick Gardening Club, show manager for the East Lothian HS annual show in Haddington and has worked with local community gardening groups, schools and clubs across East Lothian.

This gathering will also pull on the experience of the participants, including what has worked and what hasnt. 

Access to land and space is an issue for many community groups and individuals. However, almost any space can be used for growing and can become an abundance of edibles. From the allotment history in the UK and Scotland, to further afield such as urban food gardens in Havana, many of which started on a very small scale. Food resilience will form a critical adaptation response to the climate crisis and all scales of growing are essential to build that resilience.

Details on how to find the allotments to follow.

Thank you to Muirpark allotments and Rosanne for hosting us and to New Beginnings who have said we can use their seating area. 

More info on Dr Stan da Prato

Dr Stan da Prato is Honorary President of North Berwick Gardening Club, show manager for the East Lothian HS annual show in Haddington and has edited the Caledonian Gardener since 2005. He has worked with local schools and clubs in gardening projects and helped other community gardening groups in East Lothian successfully represent Scotland in Britain In Bloom.

He is a former Secretary of the Scottish Begonia Society and still grows a collection of species begonias. He also grows and shows Cacti. In fact it is hard think of something Stan doesn’t grow and it is not surprising that he is frequently called upon to share his expertise as a popular speaker at club meetings throughout the country. Stan was a teacher, and whilst still teaching was awarded a PhD for studies of song birds in the Lothians which he says should be shared with Susan his wife. He is a former President of the Scottish Ornithologists Club, and has been editor of Scottish Birds since 1970. He is the Chair of Aberlady Bay advisory committee.

Stan has been Scottish Rock Garden Club plantsman of the year annually since 2010 and has won more than 1300 first prizes for alpines, a club record meriting a Golden Jubilee Salver for service to the SRGC. He has a Royal Horticultural Society community champion award.

Stan is one of the longest serving judges for Beautiful Scotland, It is fair to say that Stan has tirelessly supported so many clubs and societies that it would be difficult to list them all.

Photos will be taken for use for promoting our work and for funding. Please let us know if you dont want your photo taken.