Very interesting paper Pat.  It is easy to get despondant as all the drivers here in the UK are working against the local and sustainable agriculture model. And the resulting reality is that mainstream farming is going the way of all international commodity production  or at the very least the stranglehold of the supermarkets. The reality for all the farmers I know and talk to - is that they are locked into a system whether it be beef production or milk or cereal production which is not a locally driven one and they can't get off.  they don't have any choice... Economies of scale etc etc.  Farmers are defensive of their practice and the  Colleges are re- enforcing the industrial farming model. We have a huge challenge to make that transition and the government subsidy system is not helping one bit.

The article on the other hand is quite focussed on urban/peri-urban small plots and  community allotments and in this area there are fantastic examples of great practice - with all the social and community benefits which accrue from such projects. Forth Environment Link of which i am chairman is involved in just brilliant initiaitives - eg Braehead Community Garden - a disadvantaged area of Stirling - there are perhaps 100 raised beds! Let's be honest - this is really important for local communities who see the value quickly - but turn around the juggernault which is British/European/ world agriculture and which is totally in the hands of the multinationals and the chemical companies... that is the challenge.