Foundations for Farming SA
Facilitated by Ben Viljoen
Training Report
PZ Meyer Hospital,
Department of Health, Kouga LSA
26-27 January 2011
Welcome
The Department of Health, Nutrition Department welcomed all the participants to this training.
Eleven participants from all over the Kouga area attended the training.
1. Purpose of the Training
- To give an introduction about how to start a food garden at home
- To learn techniques and become a trainer
2. Challenges
- Under utilization of land
- Lack of resources
- Theft
- Ignorance – focus on lawns instead of food
- Education – skills can bring about profit
3. Lessons Learnt
- I always thought my compost pile was 100%, but now I have learnt the proper way to do it.
- We always thought we had to prepare (omgedop) the soil before planting – the planting stations is the way to go.
- For the first time I realize that we as the youth can contribute and give back to the community as trainers.
- In my heart I felt that I knew how to garden, but now I know that I have to do the first things right, right away.
- I never expected that the training will be of such a high standard.
- We now realize the great need to ensure household food security and to be trained effectively.
Making our planting stations
Putting our new skills into practice
Planting
God’s blanket
“Weeds can be like sin. For the first time we understand that it can destroy us.”
4. The Way Forward
- We will reconvene on Tuesday 1 February 2011 to map a way forward.
- The learners identified potential projects in their communities and churches.
5. Conclusion
The Department of Health thanked Foundation for Farming SA for facilitating the training. Joseph closed the training with a prayer.
“We all have seeds to sow whereever we go.”
Download a pdf version of this report here