The Kent Federation of Horticultural Societies was established on December 9, 1938, with the goal of uniting the Kent County Garden Produce Committee, which included 41 societies and had a county-wide membership, along with the Kent Garden Committee.

 

The Federation thrived during the war years, a period when it was crucial for the public to contribute to the war effort by growing their own food. The notable 'Dig for Victory' campaign inspired many Britons to combat food shortages by cultivating their own gardens, leading to the transformation of parks and bomb sites into vegetable patches. By the late 1940s, the UK boasted around 1.4 million allotment sites, with Kent enjoying a vibrant amateur gardening community. However, the post-war food revolution, marked by the rise of frozen foods and supermarkets, led many gardeners to abandon their allotments, prompting councils to sell off these spaces in the 80s and 90s.

 

Today, the number of allotments in Britain is estimated at about 300,000, a significant decline from the 1940s. By 1957, the Kent County Garden Produce Committee had dissolved, leaving the Federation to grow independently, expanding from 41 to over 100 societies. In recent years, clubs from East Sussex, Surrey, and Greater London have joined, with current membership hovering around 150 societies and a combined total of over 13,000 members, indicating a resurgence in amateur gardening.

 

Allotments are once again in demand, especially in urban areas, and there is a growing interest from individual members, along with judges and speakers eager to participate in the Federation.