Out & About

Central Scotland Smallholders' Association

Visit to Jordan Bowler, Hillfoots Organics, Menstrie, Saturday 4th October 2008

The Association's first visit of the new season was to Hillfoots Organics, in Menstrie. Hosted by Jordan Bowler, members were given a tour of the 5 acre smallholding at the foot of the Ochil Hills. Jordan started working the smallholding 2 years ago and now has one acre under cultivation as well as a wonderful new polytunnel, which made most of us quite envious. As well as bringing more land into cultivation and planting a small orchard, he intends to expand the number of polytunnels - a second tunnel has been delivered and will be put up soon - to extend the growing season and the range of vegetables that can be successfully grown. We all snacked on delicious, fresh salad leaves as we went round.

In case, that wasn't enough to be getting on with, Jordan also has a flock of 100 laying hens! Jordan's main business is a vegetable box scheme, currently providing about 50 boxes a week around the local area, plus sales from the smallholding itself and a market stall in Alva on Saturday mornings. Hillfoots Organics was awarded organic certification from the Soil Association in August this year.

The weather was fine - it rained while we were touring the polytunnel, so we were able to fully appreciate the benefits! Andrew thought this was his kind of gardening - preferably with radio and fridge of Guinness to hand!

We finished the afternoon with refreshments, homemade scones and jam in the barn, and a very interesting question and answer session. It was a really good start to the season - and then we all went home to add “polytunnel” to our Christmas lists!

Event reports

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