S.S.S not SOS: Sprouting Food & Community Resilience Across Lincolnshire and beyond

In a world of greed green mines are the goldmines we can eat, let's push up because it won't trickle down. With this in mind from the fruitful grounds of Kenwick Park, to green spaces in Gainsborough and Spilsby to coastal communities of Louth and Mablethorpe, a powerful movement is taking root. Ecolearn's "Sow Study Sustain" initiative is spreading its message of community resilience and cross-generational health and well-being, proving that a simple seed can cultivate profound change.

Imagine "super growers" across Lincolnshire, transforming their window boxes or gardens into havens of homegrown goodness. Heritage or open-pollinated seeds, the embodiment of nature's generosity, are being shared and nurtured, creating a network of self-reliance and biodiversity. This is the heart of Ecolearn's and sister company LOL's (Lincolnshire Outdoor Learnings) missions: to leave no one behind, empowering individuals, house by house, street by street, to embrace sustainable living.

But the magic doesn't stop at home. Ecolearn's vibrant allotments and micro-farms, including the exciting fruit forest project at Kenwick Park, plus biodiversity projects in Gainsborough and the Ermine Library in Lincoln, are becoming vital community hubs. In Louth, Spilsby and Mablethorpe, similar initiatives are sprouting, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds. These spaces are where knowledge is shared, skills are honed, and the fruits (and vegetables!) of collective labour are harvested. It's about caring and sharing because collaboration at community level is key. The real magic happens when individuals throw off being conditioned to think only of their circle of self interest and close the circular economy loop by sharing back.

What truly sets Ecolearn apart is our commitment to open-pollinated seeds. This isn't just about growing food; it's about safeguarding our traditional skills and natural heritage, fostering self-reliance and passing on invaluable knowledge to future generations. Central to this is the vision of a community seed bank, a living testament to local varieties and it's building to become a reality.

This is more than just gardening; it's a social revolution. Ecolearn is bridging generational gaps, fostering a sense of belonging and demonstrating that by connecting with the earth, we connect with each other. We are proving that healthy food and healthy communities go hand in hand.

So get your gloves on... What to know and when to grow