Introducing a new initiative for Twenty Pound Meadow West Oxford Allotments: The Organic Working Group (OWG)
At the last AGM a proposal to ban the use of Glyphosate at our allotment sites was passed. Use of Glyphosate is now against allotment rules and publicity about this rule change will be sent to all members in due course.
But what about the broader issues of caring for and sharing responsibility for the soil, the bio diversity and the set up of Twenty Pound Meadow allotments? What about all the other chemicals we still use…especially those that might do damage to bio diversity, damage the soil, wash into other allotments during flooding and potentially create tensions between allotment neighbours? What about managing and improving our soils organically over time, finding ways to enhance and support insects and helpful ‘weeds’? In short, what about creating a positive community of hobby growers going 100% organic?
I have therefore proposed to initiate an organic working group for plot holders on the Twenty Pound Meadow (TPM) site. The aim of this group is to get to know other TPM veg growers who aspire to use zero chemicals on their plot, to share knowledge and discuss organic solutions to challenges occurring both in our individual plots, and to find ways to improve plant and animal diversity. The group could also contribute ideas and proposals to decisions concerning all these issues regarding the allotment site in general and for future changes to allotment rules.
Everyone would be is welcome to join the group, even (or especially) if you are still using chemicals on your plot. Please join if you are interested in an organic approach to food growing and are open to learning and sharing. This is just a starting point to get those interested together, we could then decide as a collective what we wish to focus on.
Our initial session will be facilitated by Tobias.
To sign up or just to check it out, please email Tobias at tobisturmer@hotmail.com Subject ‘OWG’, and you will be sent the invite. Once I have expressions of interest, I’ll propose a time and date for meeting, most likely somewhere on our site.
Thank you,
Tobias