In 2017, Bob established and chairs the voluntary organisation One Seed Forward (OSF) in the north-east of Scotland. OSF encourages people all ages to grow their own fruit and veg and to eat and share their produce and knowledge. Amongst other things OSF gives away free seeds and seedlings.
He also, in partnership with the University of Aberdeen, helped develop the OSF Garden Schools programme which he takes a lead role in promoting and driving forward – encouraging schools to establish fruit and veg gardens, and to introduce pupils to growing.
Bob has tireless energy, passion, enthusiasm and commitment in moving forward the work of OSF. He leads from the front both coming up with ideas, and then happily ‘getting his hands dirty’ doing the work involved. Equally he is more than happy to listen to other people’s ideas and to support putting them into action. He always retains a sense of humour, is open-minded and inclusive.
With others, he works on the OSF community allotment, demonstrating the fruit & veg which can be grown successfully in the NE and encourages people to visit to see what’s going on, to learn, and to get involved. He champions heritage varieties (particularly potatoes!) through the annual OSF free seed potato giveaways – manning stalls, giving advice and encouragement to first-time and other growers and promotes an eco-friendly and organic approach to growing.