The idea for Start Up Stirling’s Grow Project took seed from a conversation at the end of 2021. Within a short space of time, the enthusiasm of the key people behind the project, numerous volunteers and local authorities and organisations resulted in an action plan to create a number of growing spaces locally.
With funding and hands-on support in place, the initiative’s achievements in the first eight months following its formation included:
- Preparing, building and planting raised beds in Kildean, Stirling
- Liaising with Forth Valley Health Board’s Young Growers Ambassador and the Criminal Justice Service to secure volunteer staff and work placements
- Purchasing fruit cages and netting to protect fruit trees and bushes from wildlife
- Purchasing a larger polytunnel to enable winter seed planting to take place ready for planting out the following spring.
Start Up Stirling’s aim of sharing the benefits of the project with the wider community is already being realised with produce distributed to staff and service users at Stirling Community Enterprise and local food banks.
Future plans include the continuing development of the site at Kildean, which will be managed in conjunction with Stirling Community Enterprise, allowing further opportunities for volunteering and work placements.
Plans are also continuing to take shape for the development of a 3-acre site at Bannockburn. With increased space for cultivation, the site will include three large polytunnels and have a project manager to identify and develop opportunities to provide fresh vegetables and soft fruits to service users in a sustainable manner.
