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Green Island Veg Economy (GIVE): we talk to founder
When you
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It started with a seed and took a global pause to finally flower and fruit. Precisely one year ago, the pandemic proved the perfect environment to turn Isle of Wight artist Holly Maslen’s fertile imaginings for a Green Island Veg Economy (GIVE) into the flourishing community of growers that it is today.
By Emma Elobeid Photos by Charlotte Corney
Wonderfully wonky veg and treasured tomatoes
The premise is simple: Islanders who grow their own produce give away surplus crops – thanks to a combination of overenthusiastic sowing and unexpected gluts, many growers are left with far more than they can use – for free via socially distanced GIVE stations outside their homes. “It’s something I’ve thought about on and off for years,” Holly says. “I’ve got quite a small garden myself and people with bigger spaces often end up growing way more than they can use. I’ve always been struck by empty front gardens; to me they are unused growing space.” Since its launch in March 2020, the GIVE Facebook group has grown to over eight thousand members, all now eagerly preparing their windowsills, greenhouses, potting stations and plots in mutual anticipation of the ‘last frost’ and ‘first fruit’ ahead. Meanwhile, Holly is one step closer to realising her dream of Islanders being able to walk down any Island street and being able to pick up a free meal of fresh, homegrown produce that neighbours have put out for others to enjoy. “When I set the page up, I thought ‘maybe a few people will be interested’, I didn’t really think it would take off like it has,” Holly tells me. Though the initial plan was for produce, the group quickly evolved and soon people were sharing not only seeds and seedlings but advice and encouragement, successes, failures, and wonderfully wonky veg. “Some of the posts get hundreds of comments which is really nice because a lot of people think that Facebook is negative. We’ve all got the same common goal.” Though it was the sight of stripped supermarket shelves that inspired the timing of the launch – as Islanders, we
The dream: a GIVE station on every street
GIVE gardens large and small provide space to potter and nurture
Seeds of possibilities
are perhaps more reliant on crossSolent supply chains – there is nothing of the secretive ‘loo rolls in the loft, baked beans under the bed’ prepper about GIVE; rather a collaborative community fuelled by selfless selfsufficiency where members get thrills from the simple joy of passing it forward. During the first national lockdown, seed sales rocketed as online gardening retailers experienced unprecedented demand. Stuck at home, thousands – many first-time growers on lower incomes – sought solace from the 24-hour news cycle in gardening’s simply satisfying pleasures. Thanks to the ‘growers hacks’ shared in the GIVE community, many of this year’s crops will have been propagated from last year’s plants in a rather beautifully circular loop of non-commercialised control. It is perhaps the enduring paradox of this pandemic; physically isolated, we turned to connection more than ever. And, in this way, GIVE fostered a muchneeded sense of belonging through the simple interactions of a peer-to-peer economy: a wave through an open kitchen window, a thank-you over a garden fence. In August 2020, Holly received a Points of Light Award and a personal letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson in
Grower’s pride
which he praised her for “sowing the seed of community action allowing thousands to share their home-grown produce and help nourish the most vulnerable in society”. Holly is characteristically modest about the honour: “I got the email in the summer and I was kind of busy at the time and thought ‘that looks a bit suspect’ and just ignored it for a few days. Then I felt a bit embarrassed and funny about it actually, but then thought ‘oh I suppose I’d better!’ It’s great for the group to have it but personally things like that make me cringe.” As Holly looks forward to a second year of GIVE growth, she tells me that she is working on a book which tells its story, and – when the pandemic is finally behind us – hopes of a big GIVE swap-party in a field.
Join the GIVE community on Facebook: Green Island Veg Economy (IOW)
Hear it from the GIVE-ers
“As a working mum of two with chronic pain, GIVE helped us get out the house and do something meaningful as a family, it was our saving grace. This year, my daughter wants to create a herb garden and a new plant station, and my son – who loves digging – has big plans.” – Missy Kay, East Cowes
“GIVE is such a friendly and considerate group; what a great community spirit we are lucky to have on the Island.” – Justine Crumplin, Ryde
“GIVE kept me sane and gave me purpose during lockdown – I gave away over 100 plants that I had grown! I’m looking forward to the new season so that I can do it all again.” – Pam Hogg, Seaview
“My sharing table – a converted cable spool – was often completely covered with plants ready to give, swap and share. I’m not an experienced gardener but have learned so much from other GIVE members, the support has been amazing.” – Mary Maunder, Seaview
“I moved back to the Island at the start of the first lockdown, and GIVE helped me get started in the garden at a time when it was difficult to source things anywhere at all.” – Colin Toogood, Cowes
