A group of volunteers is hoping to set up a community market garden in Nairn. Picture: by RDNE Stock project/Pexels.
The team behind a new initiative aiming to set up a community market garden in Nairn is set to present the project at two upcoming events, whilst seeking public feedback on their plans.
Potential use of Common Good land at Sandown for community growing first surfaced back in 2022 — after the decision was made to halt plans to sell it for housing purposes.
A feasibility study commissioned by the Nairnshire Area Committee in 2024 found 90 per cent of respondents were in support of food growing projects, sparking the creation of Grow Nairn in February last year.
A section of land at Sandown in Nairn could be used for a new community growing project. Picture: Gary Anthony..
The group, which is formed by a five-member committee, is now looking to share its vision with members of the public — and is set to talk at The Highland Weigh’s Climate Cafe tonight (February 26) at 6pm as well as holding a community engagement drop-in session at Nairn Community Centre next week (March 7, between 10.30am and 12.30pm).
“It’s really exciting,” said Kirsty Ellen, who chairs the group.
“We’ve been thinking about it and talking about it as a group for a long time, so it’s great to get to the point where we are sharing our plans and having that dialogue with the wider community, and hopefully people will see its potential the way we see it.”
Currently, Grow Nairn’s proposal — which could see them use four hectares of Sandown Common Good Land if a lease is agreed — is to use the land to grow fruit and vegetables, tree planting and orchard development, as well as polytunnels for food production and small-scale infrastructure to support growing crop shares.
But the scope of the initiative would go beyond that, said Ms Ellen.
“We’ll be running it as a social enterprise. It will essentially be a small business in the town that will generate income to employ staff — so there will be jobs created.
“There will be a service provided in that we will be selling veg from the farm as a vegbox scheme to households and to local cafes and restaurants, as well as like a small farm shed.
“So there’ll be more local food available, healthy, sustainably-grown local food for the town. The field will be put into productive use for the community, and there’ll be opportunities, social opportunities at the market garden. So volunteer and opportunities, social events and activities.”
She said that educational opportunities and engaging with schools are also on the plans.
Grow Nairn is currently running a survey on its website grownairn.wixsite.com — where more information will also be available.
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