Dumfries & Galloway in the rural South of Scotland is typified by this Atlantic Arc project involving our most eastern district, Annandale & Eskdale. Farming, food production, food processing and tourism are economically important to the area. In 2001 the area was devastated by the Foot & Mouth Epidemic demonstrating dependence of the local economy on agriculture. Other traditional industries in the area are forestry, textiles and other manufacturing and attracts visitors for walking, fishing, golfing and shooting and to see historical sites.
The AGATE project aims to involve local people in identifying issues related to food production, marketing and living with the land in Annandale and Eskdale. It invites people who are not normally consulted to consider what working and living with the land will be like in 20 years time. The findings of the project will be used to create projects that can work towards positive futures for rural regions all over Europe.
The people involved from Dumfries & Galloway, are farmers, organic gardeners, hotel owners, people involved in agricultural education, housewives, retailers, councilors and people from community groups.
The Partners are Association des Chambres d'Agricultures de l'Arc Atlantic (AC3A - France) , Disputacion Provincial de Huelva, Spain, Assoc. Par Desarrollo de los Territorios por Actores Locales (ADTERRA - Galicia, Spain), Westmeath Community Development Ltd (Ireland), Insitituto de Estudios Urbanos y Regionales (IERU - Coimbra - Portugal), Cap L'orient (France), Dumfries and Galloway Council (Scotland), Institut Atlantique d'Amenagement des Territoires (IAAT - France)