Growing With Grace (From Croydon Guardian)

Growing With Grace

9:30am Friday 16th February 2001 in

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A HEALTHY pile of manure and a collection ofgleaming greenhouses mark out the home of 'Growing with Grace' at ClaphamNurseries, an intriguing organic-farming operation run on the principlesof the Quaker faith.

Founded last November by Quakers ChrisHart, Nigel Lockett, Neil and Debbie Marshall, along with friend SueStark, the group has built up an organic shop, nursery and vegetabledelivery service on the site of an old bedding plant nursery nearClapham.

All their work is underpinned by four principles:sustainable agriculture, equitable employment, workplace spirituality andfair trade.

With financial support from Dutch ethical bankTriodos, the group is hoping to grow and sell enough produce to becomeself-sustaining.

Days begin with a morningmeeting, a mix of business chat and contemplation.

"It's aboutgiving time, respecting each other and respecting what we're doing," saidChris Hart.

Wages to the members are based onneed.

Grower Neil has been labouring on the greenhouse soil,planting green manures of clover and phacelia to bring it up to productioncapacity.

A slug patrol of Muscovy Duck are on standby, readyto take on pest control work.

But, Neil admits, this is a bitof an experiment, "I'm not convinced they won't eat the plants!" OnWednesday, the Soil Association gave the group the organic seal ofapproval so the real business of sustainable agriculture canbegin.

"A lot of agriculture that goes on is dominated byman's greed rather than making food for hungry mouths," believesChris.

For him, Growing with Grace is about "doing somethingnaturally, being involved in the natural process of the world, rather thanartificial intervention."

At the core of the business is anorganic fruit and vegetable delivery service that Neil established underthe nursery's former ownership.

Twice a week, mixed bags oforganic fruit and veg are loaded into a van and delivered to the homes ofaround 150 customers.

For £6.00 buyers get a mix of potatoes,carrots, onions and mushrooms and whatever seasonal exotics areavailable.

Salad bags, fruit bags are extra-large veg bags arealso on offer.

Clients after ethical food can also call intothe Nursery's shop which boasts an impressive collection of organicgroceries and fairtrade items like coffee and chocolate.

Whilethe nursery gets up and running, fresh organic produce is being suppliedfrom Wetherby in Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire.

Despitemushrooming demand for organics in supermarkets, Growing with Grace willnot be chasing their custom says to Neil.

"We could be sellingto supermarkets but the link is divorced between the growing of crop andconsumer.

The food miles involved areenormous."

Rather, the group is trying to strengthen its localcustomer base and create local food for local people.

Growingwith Grace is about "Justice, peace and the integrity of creation," forfounder Chris.

"I hope we've got the justice and peace in theworkplace and integrity in the way we grow."

- The groupcelebrated attaining full organic status with a grand opening for TheOrganic Shop on Wednesday.

Thelma Barlow, keen organic gardnerand former Coronation Street star added sparkle with a book signingsession for her latest work 'Gardening Nature'sWay'.