Co-hosted with Beni Stewart & Leslie Barson, Granville Community Kitchen
Following another year of extreme weather conditions, international conflicts and the threat of food shortages in the UK, we realise how little most people know about food production and distribution. Particularly in our urban communities, our food consumption seems completely detached from the realities of growing and the ecological cycles and other conditions that affect it. Indeed, many people in urban centres find few opportunities to connect with nature within a rural setting. So how can we make all of this feel more accessible, immediate and more participatory? And what impact could a more engaged relationship with nature and food production do to help support health and wellbeing, local economies, and our natural environment?
This Chat, Co-designing a Community Farm, will be co-hosted with Beni Stewart and Leslie Barson of Granville Community Kitchen. They will share their experience of shaping their ambitious project for a productive peri-urban farm hub connected to their South Kilburn community through a series of food related activities, educational programmes and distribution routes. Still a project in development, Beni and Lesllie are keen to share their progress to date, but also explore with others how to continue to evolve ideas and practices. Whether you are interested in learning more about their journey or have similar experiences to share, we welcome you to join what promises to be a fascinating conversation about Co-designing a Community Farm.
About Glass-House Chats
Glass-House Chats are monthly hour-long online spaces for conversation and connection, to ask questions and explore ideas, approaches and methods, share learning and meet others.
Once again, Series 7 sees us collaborating with a range of inspiring people and organisations who will co-host sessions with us. Each guest co-host will help us bring focus, expertise and experience to conversations about different aspects of the design of places. This year we’ll be looking at design in a range of contexts, including community farms, urban rooms, place-based networks, higher education and development. We’ll explore the role of enabling, engagement, third spaces, making, policy and community panels.
About our Co-hosts
Beni Stewart has been a community veg grower for over 10 years working to set up volunteering sessions, educational programmes and distribution networks alongside this. They are at their happiest when their hands are in the soil. They strongly believe in the power of food to unite people.
“I want the farm hub project to be an example of a different type of food system, one that feeds everyone decent food, creates livelihoods and does this without negatively impacting the environment. I hope that the farm hub inspires generations to come, and shows the power of people coming together and dreaming big. I’m excited to plant trees, to dig ponds, to grow and eat vegetables, and to hear screams of laughter over the hills. And I can’t wait to do it with all of you!”
Leslie Barson co-founded Granville Community Kitchen with friend Deirdre Woods in September 2014. Their love of the South Kilburn community, The Granville and Carlton Community buildings, community education and food justice is what drives them.
Their community meals, support for the people seeking asylum, support for those who are lonely, isolated or struggling financially, our volunteer and education programs and our food growing in the area all help to bring more joy to South Kilburn! Joy is very important!
How to Take Part
Glass-House Chats are open to anyone with an interest in the event topic. No specific experience or expertise is required to join the conversation. We believe that our Chats only benefit from a wide mix of voices, interests and experiences.
These free online events are kept intentionally small so that everyone taking part can jump in and join the conversation. Where possible, we encourage participants to keep their cameras and microphones on, to pose questions and ideas, and to share stories and links.
To create a safe space for open discussion, Chatham House Rules are applied. Key discussion points are collated, anonymised and shared on The Glass-House Blog after each session.
How to Book
Glass-House Chats are free events, but places are limited, so please register only if you plan to attend.
Book your place here.
Useful Links
Find out more about the Granville Community Farm Hub here.