EMIEL'S FOOD FOREST
Highland Carbon is raising funds in support of Scotland’s first sustainable community Food Forest. Highland Carbon instigated the project, on behalf of the local landowner.
Our Managing Director reached out to his contact, Tabitha Jayne, Director of Earthself, about the project having already discussed it with the landowner, Adrian, for about a year. The Richard and Tabi met variously, and also with the landowner, Adrian, for more than a year thereafter.
When attending a Sustainability conference in Edinburgh, Richard met with a contact from the Highlands and Islands University (UHI). Thereafter, he travelled to Inverness to meet directly with Euan Bowditch, a Professor in the Forestry Department. Richard introduced Euan to both Adrian and Tabitha to help to get things rolling. Tabi continued and developed the dialogue with UHI and other parties thereafter.
The management and instigation of the project was then coordinated by Tabitha, although Richard continued to attend meetings with her and the landowner. Tabi has successfully recruited various stakeholder groups and has actively crowdfunded in support of the project. Simply put, the project could not have happened without her.
The Forest is an invaluable resource for a very remote, Highland Community. The Forest will has an amazing location on the very shore of Loch Rannoch. The lease on the 1.4 hectares of land and the groundwork have been donated.
Our remotest communities which rely on tourism were hit particularly hard by the Covid pandemic. Today, people are experiencing globally rising fuel prices and a cost-of-living crisis. In remote Highland communities sourcing fresh produce can be a particular challenge. Trips to town for supplies are infrequent for local people. This necessitates that their cars be filled mainly with non-perishable food items to last for weeks. Fresh fruit can be a scarce resource.
The Food Forest will offer nutritional benefits and enjoyment to local people, from the youngest to the oldest. The project will be managed organically. We intend to involve students and create local employment opportunities in the management of the site. We will involve the local community to determine the best approach for distributing the food that arises.
The Food Forest will offer a sustainable resource for the community. It achieves educational, nutritional, health and wellbeing outcomes for this very remote community.
The Food Forest has been named in memory of Emiel (Aemilius Justin Matthias van Well), the son of the local landowner. Emiel died from protracted illness during January 2022 aged 26. During his life, Emiel was passionate about nature, healthy food and healthy living. Emiel's father Adrian described his son as a handsome, brilliant and kind man with a fantastic sense of humour.
Please contact us for details on how to give in support of this project: richard@highlandcarbon.com
