“This is one of the few groups where there is no one upmanship, competitiveness, bartering, no money involvement. We meet in the spirit of kindness, freely giving, with respect for the planet and a wish to share our collective knowledge of gardening and the benefits of healthy eating.” Fiona, Tauranga Cropswap
The following is notes from Jill and Steve Kirby’s korero on Crop Swap Tauranga, presented at our WBOP Kai Resilience Network Hui, December 2024.
-CropSwap was started 10 years ago in New Plymouth.
-CropSwap Tauranga started a year later, run by Andrea at Envirohub, we first attended 7 years ago.
-We took over admin 5 years ago.
-It’s very simple: infrastructure required: a table. Some shelter is nice.
-We meet on the last Sunday each month 10-11am.
-No membership required. Everyone is welcome.
-People bring whatever they’d like to share (keyword). Produce, seedlings, seeds, preserves, their contribution is set on the table as you arrive. We mingle, chat, catch up until 10.30. Bell rings.
-Anyone is free to explain plants, produce, or seedlings that have a story.
-Then anyone is free to take what they want from the table. Think of it like a potluck.
-Then people are free to leave. But we tend to not. We hang around and chat, its a very social affair.
We had Christmas morning tea on Sunday, so I asked the group for their thoughts on what they get out of cropswap.
“Discovering new things/plants/food, getting background knowledge. Learning new things from each other, eating new things. Think Yakon- a winter staple for us now. “
Really rewarding to share with people who appreciate it. Like-minded and common interests.
Someone who is new to the area said she’s learnt about the local growing conditions, what works, when. Very different to Wellington loverseas… We are learning/connecting to our eco–system together
“So much you can’t get in supermarket. Really rewarding to share with people who appreciate it. Like–minded & common interests.”
“I’ve been encouraged to garden more naturally, without sprays at artificial fertilisers by seeing it done in other gardens. Hosting has been such a valuable addition.
-Inspiration from others: No two gardens are alike. Everyone brings their own creative individual expression in co–creating spaces with nature. Different relationships with plants, priorities, spaces to work with.
There are crops/seeds that are shared loved group.
Bag of ‘Peans. Or the story of the Gramma or “Chinese Pumpkin“. These varieties have become also members of the group. Our garden would be far less interesting & diverse without Cropswap
Friendships. You’d be surprised how lovely it is to see someone you’ve caught up with once a month for years. There’s a sense of belonging. Such a variety of ages, stages, professions/backgrounds. Has anyone seen the doco on Robert Putnam Join or Die‘ on Netflix? Reason enough to join such a group. We’ve met young families, have had working bees and kimchi making parties while our kids play together.
Last thoughts
The alternative to a complete and utter dependence on our monetary & economic & Industrial system for our food is often touted as self–sufficiency. But that view ignores the strengths of our species in communicating and cooperating with each other. This is a small but real step towards something far more resilient a rewarding
For me group without any personally (Steve), I’m interested in the experience of participating in a collective group without any hierarchy, authority, beaurocracy + minimal rules. See Stefano Mancuso’s book ‘the Nation of Plants‘ for Nature’s example of this. As a person who believes in the kindness & nobility of humanity, but also as a punk who is interested in Anarchist political theory, it has been an encouraging experience.
-We connect via monthly email (sent by Jill) + also have a group whatsapp to keep in touch.
Link to Tauranga Cropswap facebook group: Crop Swap Tauranga | Facebook
Link to sustainable backyards event: Crop Swap Tauranga | Facebook
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