Join the Everyday Growing Cultures team in Sheffield to discuss and explore with key partners and stakeholders, what happens when two communities in two cities come together to solve the problem of growing vegetables on vacant land. As part of the event, the award winning feature documentary, Grown in Detroit, will be screened from 18.15 (see below for details).

Everyday Growing Cultures is a six-month pilot study that focuses on the potentially transformative value of connecting two currently disparate communities: allotment growers and the open data community. Based on comparative research in Manchester and Sheffield, the project explores the potential effects of digital engagement and open data for allotment holders and those on waiting lists to build stronger, more active communities, benefit local economies and improve environmental sustainability and food security.

Since mid-February 2013, in partnership with Open Data Manchester, The Kindling Trust and Grow Sheffield, we have run a number of events in Manchester and Sheffield, with growing communities to identify potential food growing spaces. We have talked to local councils about taking some of our ideas forward and how this might take place. We have requested allotment data through the Freedom of Information Act and looked at how council websites provide information to potential allotment plot holders. We are in the process of surveying people on waiting lists and have made a film highlighting these important issues.

Everyday Growing Cultures: funded by RCUK Digital Economy Communities and Culture Network+

Available tickets

+++ Public event participant +++

If you can join us from 16:30 (doors open at 15:30), then please come and debate these issues with us! We will give an overview of the project and you will hear from key stakeholders about the future of allotments and alternative growing spaces in the UK, including from allotment expert Professor David Crouch. This ticket also covers the two films and the drinks reception.

+++ Films + drinks reception only +++

If you would like to join us a little later (from 17:30), we will be showing two films:

Everyday Growing Cultures (2013) - a documentary by Caroline Ward and Erinma Ochu. The film follows the Everyday Growing Cultures project across the two cities and most recently New York. So it has become a tale of three cities showing how they have each approached the same problem of growing vegetables on public land.

Grown in Detroit (2009) - an award winning documentary by Mascha and Manfred Poppenk. Detroit has earned its notorious title as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. due to a struggling automotive industry, increasingly high unemployment, poverty, race issues, vacant houses, high crime rates and decreased public services. Places where houses, factories and schools were once thriving are left abandoned because only half of the city's original population remains. Grown in Detroit focuses on the urban gardening efforts managed by a public school of 300, mainly African-American, pregnant and parenting teenagers. “Back to the roots” has sprouted as a simple yet effective solution for Detroit. As industrial models fail, this is a solution to be replicated in other former industrial giants the world over. More on the film, including a trailer: http://www.grownindetroitmovie.com/ 

QUICK OVERVIEW

15:30 - Doors open

16:30 - 17:30 - Introduction to the project. Short presentations. Debate

17:30 - 17:45 - Short break

FILMS

17:45 - 18:15 - Everyday Growing Cultures + Q&A with filmmakers

18:15 - 19:30 - Grown in Detroit

19:30 - 20:30 - Drinks reception

More about the project on our website: http://everydaygrowingcultures.org/