For anyone interested in models of community building, this group Flock, is very interesting to follow. They are starting from scratch a co-housing and growing project in New York State (Ithaca) and documenting the process; Smart people connecting an array of community schemes in their region. Having lived in various co-housing projects myself, and in all sorts of different "intentional communities" over twenty years, I admire how they are going about their research, learning, network building and construction. The legal aspect alone will be fascinating to observe. The great thing is that they go into specific detail - not romantic, broadbrush wishful thinking. It might well not work out - very often these schemes do not - but there's a lot to garner along the way.
As the videos are keen to share the close up specifics, they are quite long, but very worth watching, if this is your area of interest.
I like the idea of community planting. My nearest railway station has an area on either side of the platform where one side is flowers and the other is fruit, vegetables, herbs etc are grown. Passengers are encouraged to take what they want. That's a lovely idea but I also like the fact that people are coming together to work, learn and socialise. No matter when I go there the plots look well maintained by obviously knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers.
We have a community food garden and orchard near by, started about 15 years ago, where any passerby can take whatever they want - herbs, fruit, leaves for teas, flowers, cuttings...
This one, started in 1998, is very well organised, planned and managed, in more of a traditional raised bed layout; partly shaded, on a slope. It has its own hives and produced significant amounts of honey each year. Closely tied to schools, and the cafe next door.
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Because these things so much depend on the volunteers, and who is available and engaged at the time, the projects tend to wax and wane. I guess as long as you have that expectation and plan for it, strong projects can ride it out.
Gardens two and three are on publicly held land so won't ever be sold for development (or there would be a full scale riot if they tried). Developers have their eyes on garden one and tried a land grab last year, claiming the area was a derelict dump. We saw them off, but there is huge pressure everywhere to build on every bit of green space left.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
No matter when I go there the plots look well maintained by obviously knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers.