The Glaswegian Okra Landrace

The cultivation of plants is shaped by a mix of preferences- from hardiness, texture, taste and appearance. The plant qualities we select and favour can reflect personal and shared values.

The Okra Landrace project is an attempt to adapt the okra plant to be able to grow in Glasgow’s climate as we aim to expand the types of foods we grow locally that reflects the culturally diverse flavours that are loved in our city.

In this event, we'll discuss the history of the Okra plant and the varieties you'll find throughout different parts of the World. We'll also explore how traditional knowledge around the okra plant is preserved in how it's incorporated into dishes today. We'll get a chance to sample some of those dishes prepared by members of the surrounding community.

For the Okra Landrace project to succeed, we need your help! At the event, we'll be giving out Okra seedlings to attendees to take home and grow in whatever space you have available - whether it's a raised bed, an allotment, or a large pot at home! In the Autumn of this year, we aim to have a celebratory 'harvest'-style event in which attendees will be able to bring back some of the okra they've grown, share an okra-inspired meal together and save the seeds for future years of planting.

Note*
This is a high-risk failure project, and many okra plants may die if our summer isn’t hot enough. Our aim is to save seed from our okra plant survivors to grow out again next year and repeat for 10 years...

About the Organisers:

Food & Climate Action is a project delivered by Glasgow Community Food Network, in partnership with six organisations in Glasgow and funded by The National Lottery. Our food system and the climate crisis are inextricably linked. Not only is our Western industrial food system one of the main drivers of climate change, but a changing climate will also impact access and availability of food in Scotland, particularly for migrant and low income communities. We need a more resilient, climate-friendly and just food system in which everyone has access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food.

Glasgow Seed Library is a collection of seeds and a community of growers. The library stocks organic and open-pollinated vegetable, herb and flower seeds for everyone to borrow, grow and save. By learning to save and share seed locally, we can nurture unique varieties and adapt our plants to a changing Scottish climate.