Conclusions workshop B

The allotment gardener of tomorrow by Sylvia Wohatschek

• There is a need for allotment gardens. So we must try to acquire more areas, where new allotment gardens can be built. Of course it is also necessary to secure the already established sites. Where it seems reasonable, we should agree to a sustainable rebuilding of areas which are not occupied.
• We must be open-minded, allow personal initiatives und shall not be afraid of other opinions.
• To reach a broader public we have to use all available communication channels. But this is not sufficient! In specific areas it might be useful to coordinate with other organizations in order to be able to better present our concerns and wishes.
• On all levels we have to actively seek a dialogue with politicians. We have to invite them to our sites because often there is a gap between preconceived opinions and reality which can only be overcome through real life experience.
• We do have valuable knowledge. Knowledge about the growing and care of plants but also knowledge about living in a community. We have to pass this knowledge on to our future allotment gardeners so that they can benefit from our know-how.
• We are a social community. In allotment gardens there are social networks and neighbourly help. The social idea is one of our fundamental values. If we want this ideal to survive we have exemplify this to our future allotment gardeners.
• Children are the future allotment gardeners. So we have to show them how to work with and in nature. If we achieve that children and teenagers develop an intuition for nature we must not worry about the allotment gardener of the future.

Sylvia WOHATSCHEK
Zentralverband der Kleingärtner und Siedler Österreichs