Building effective networksWorkshop 3
SFC Event, Edinburgh 6th November 2015
Dr Liz CharlesProject Coordinator, Food Durham
Context – Co Durham 862 square miles
513,200 population (2011 census)
Context – Co Durham• Designated as “Rural 50”
– 89% of land area classed as rural– 43% of population live in rural areas
• Diverse mix of settlements• Agricultural production. Out of 147,004ha of farmed land:
– 74,369ha LFA grazing livestock– 15,413ha lowland grazing livestock– 28,386ha cereals– 99 ha horticulture (incl. 27 ha veg grown in open; 5 ha top fruit)
Building a countywide food partnership
• Relationship building takes time• Inclusive participation• Task orientated – developing a Sustainable Local Food Strategy• Workshops – geographical spread• Meetings with specialists • Larger events – good food!
Working hard!
Getting the right people involved
Partnership Board• Built on project steering
group• Tried skills audit …• Identified gaps• Ask, ask, ask ..• ‘Hard to get’:
- Business- Farmers (Chair + 1)http://fooddurham.net/foodpartnership/food-partnership-board
Sub – Groups• Targeted interest• Emerged naturally
through process• Easier to get engagement
Public Sector ProcurementFood & Health
Community Growing
General Membership• Open to all – organisations and individuals• Communicate via email group• Current membership = over 200
• Invite to events, including Annual Gathering
Contact Details
[email protected] 742044
http://fooddurham.net/ @Food_Durhamhttps://www.facebook.com/GrowingDurham?fref=ts
