Rooted in Hull CEO Adrian Fisher meets with Hull Universtiy Graphic Design students to discuss design solutions for the urban farm.
Rooted in Hull is an urban farm in the heart of Hull City centre. The farm
works together with business and community partners, with a focus on educating
the public on how to grow their own produce, be part of a community and improve
mental health. The CEO Adrian Fisher and a community of local volunteers from
all walks of life can “enjoy the simplicity of food in each other’s
company.”
On November 02 2021 Adrian Fisher CEO of Rooted in Hull met with first year University
of Hull students, on the first cohort of the BA Hons Graphic Design. The new
programme boasts a number of new facilities, students have access to a new Mac laboratory,
with up-to-date adobe software programmes, located in the University Media Hub.
The lecturers involved in the new project include the course programme
leader and lecturer in Digital Design; Robert Consoli. Jason Hayhurst, a
lecturer in digital media and the screen subject group director. As well as TV
production Dr Terry-Westby Nunn seeks to use her experience for the potential
of visual stories via videography. The students will collaborate ideas for new
design solutions for Rooted in Hull. The city farm seeks the ideas of students
to inspire others to seek engagement in their project. As well to help the
future funding of the farm, which could result in expansion and possible
permanent paid employment roles for volunteers.
Rooted in Hull established its roots in 2013, Mr Fisher gained his
inspiration from the Kings Cross Skip gardens, which utilises derelict land to temporarily
farm on by planting in skips. This drove Adrian to find an answer to Hulls lack
of urban farming, as well as the alarming growing usage of food banks. The farm
provides an alternative to the food banks, a solution that was not only fresh
and local, but the recipients could be involved, understand, and learn how to grow
their own produce.
The farm is portable and able to relocate if needed within a 3-month notice period.
The land was sourced privately through his connections in the business world.
The desired plot needed to be within the city centre and meet the criteria for
location, space, and movability. The solution to this was the 6 cargo
containers donated from the Port of Hull. Students from Hull college
refurbished these into their own individua units. One houses a fully
functioning kitchen, with a part time chef to produce daily soups and other
meals from the farm produce. Another container hosts a farm shop selling a selection
of produce grown on site and from surrounding local organic farms. An art
gallery is another container too. The farm is almost self-sufficient, relying
only on a water supply. There are solar panels on the roof of containers, the
green waste is recycled, there are over 80 irrigated raised beds, beehives,
compost toilet.
