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permaculture

Planting day in April

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Planting day in April

We spent a busy day planting support species and perennial vegetables in the food forest, and in other areas that we are regenerating. See the full post to see which species we planted!

Fran, our new volunteer, shares his experience planting with our collaborator Nick Park from Cova Fullola

Today, Monday April 11, was my second day at Boodaville Caseres.

Nick, a Scot who lives in Tortosa, is a true field expert, he has many chickens, he brought chicken poop in a sack and there was straw on top, which we have used to make layered compost. On the farm there was already a compost made, and we have made another one right next to it, using material from the old one. We have placed it next to a tree so that it has shade and does not suffer so much from the high temperatures in summer. We have added supplements to give it even more life, so that worms can grow and they are in charge of moving everything inside. We have made it like a lasagna with different layers. First a thin layer of the compost soil that was already in place, then we sprinkled a kind of biochar on top which came in two types:  The first one, which was of better quality, was used for the plants, and the other bag, which was of lesser quality, was used as a layer (well crushed) for the new compost that we were making. So, as I was saying, we put a layer of organic compost from Boodaville on the ground, then a little biochar, then the straw that Nick brought along with the chicken poop went on top, and another straw layer on top as well. There is a lot of straw next to the compost, which we used for this.
Then the process is repeated until a fairly high mountain is made. It has to be turned once a month and watered over it at the end of stirring.


Before this task, we planted artichokes around the fruit trees, to provide them with nitrogen and nutrients, we have planted trees of a kind of grape (Berberis vulgaris), which need semi-shade, strawberry trees (Arbutus Unedo) have been planted near one that had already been planted; tha’s a clue to know if it is a good place for it, – a more acidic zone. Another type (Spartium junceum) has also been planted to break the wind, provide shade, support. We have removed branches from two fig trees with their roots, not very thick branches, we have put them in water and tomorrow we are going to put them in pots with soil, so that they will be like this until autumn, and then be replanted in the ground.

Small branches (thickness less than a finger) have been extracted, conserving the root to leave them in water in a bucket of two fig trees that are in the area but do not have much life. The next day we have planted those branches in small pots with a mixture of compost and soil. 

Nick always observes the soil, he explained to us the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, right now I am very lost and I feel that I need to study a lot, ask a lot. We were at the end of the afternoon on the “Thyme Terrace” at the top; where they have built a swale to accumulate water and that drains down the dirt road.  Since the land is on a slope, divided into terraces, it can be said that it is the first, above it there is a container to collect water. 
An incredible day with very good, competent people, wanting to get together, learn, grow, live. magnificent cooks.

List of species planted and jobs done : 

Cover crop (??)

Support plants 

3 Berberis vulgaris – nr the gooseberries

3 Spartium junceum – Food forest wind break, now marked with long canes.

2 Cercis siliquastrum – 1 in OJ garden, 1 in strawberry area

5 Acacia redolens – planted on Thyme Terrace 

hortalices – Artichoke and (??)

Jobs done :

  1. Touch the ground and attend to the food forest together, the plants that are there, compare with the map.
  2. Plant support species, strawberry trees, vegetables in the edible forest.
  3. Take cuttings of fig trees to propagate in the nursery, have a clear plan on how to care for them.
  4. Plant support species on the Thyme Terrace (Acacia)
  5. Fix water catchment for green tank.
  6. Give life to the compost pile in the food forest and have a plan to take care of it, and where and how to use it.
  7. Learn how to mulch and seed cover crop T6
  8. Look at N fixing nodules on the Alfalfa

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Fermentation Workshop

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Fermentation Workshop

A fermentation workshop with CreoVivo in April 2022. We made fermented vegetables, medicinal garlic honey and fresh almond cheese.

 

We did a workshop with Alessandro on the weekend of April 30, a workshop in which we learned how to ferment vegetables, to take advantage of them and not have economic losses, and this final product, which is water where a fruit of your choice has been fermented – It is always important that it be a seasonal fruit and vegetable, from the area, and without chemical treatments, placing it in a 3 Kg glass jar with a fruit of your choice; They were made of two types in this case, a jar with apple and another with orange, which will take a year; During the first month, every three days the fruit has to be opened and gently crushed, and after that month it is done once a month until completing a year. The jar is half filled with water and 3 parts of its capacity are the fruit, one part of whole cane sugar, which is dissolved first with the water and with your hand feeling how it dissolves little by little until no nothing remains, and a part of air and a part of good energy, because depending on the energy with which you are doing it, it will come out one way or another.

Then, Caterina, who is Alessandro’s partner, and is the one who gave us the course, accompanied by Alessandro, who make a great team. And it will be she who tells us how to use this product, which has various uses, such as dressings for infusions, salads, to reactivate sourdough, cleaning (the same use that is given to vinegar to clean, although in Spain it is It is true that there is no culture of vinegar to disinfect, and instead bleach is used) for the smell of shoes it also serves, to clean the floor, the table, throw it as an air freshener, it also purifies in that sense, and for our body when we take it as well as for plants, strengthening the immune system of our body. We can also make ecological soaps, detergents.

We also made a kind of fresh cheese; like the Italian Ricotta, based on raw almonds with skin. In this case, we liquefy the almonds with a little water, oil and salt, leaving them to soak for 24 hours. Then you can mix it with something that gives it aromas, we put chopped rosemary on it, although you can add whatever you want, for example, paprika, pepper, chocolate. The result will last for 3-4 days and the liquid it releases can be used for dressing.

We also made fermented honey based on finely chopped garlic. Which comes to ferment in 10 days, and can be used like honey, also providing an embiotic effect. In this case it must be honey that is not from the supermarket and pollen from flowers is also added to it, every two or three days it is mixed with something that is not made of metal because metal kills the probiotic.

Then we made other ferments with vegetables, cutting them very thin, because the finer they are cut, the more they will contribute. In this case they were beet, onion, pumpkin, ginger, cabbage and broccoli, garlic and young garlic, all in a bowl with a percentage of salt between 1.5 and 3%. Everything is mixed with the hands, feeling the vegetables and the mixture as it is created little by little, the elements becoming more united, paying attention and concentrating. With good energy. Wait 15 minutes and put them in glass jars, between 300 and 600 ml, compacting everything well, and leaving a finger of air.

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permaculture Rovira Regenerativa

The Food Forest

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The Food Forest

Updates from the Food Forest at Boodaville in October 2021

Updates from the food forest in October 2021 –

We made and scattered bicochar seed balls to give opportunity for support plants In our seed balls there was..
Fenogreek to fix Nitrogen
Altramuz to fix Nitrogen
Kale to bring up nutrients
Caléndula to attract insects
Nabo (raddish) to decompact soil

Chop and drop, we cut alfalfa to leave the N+ in the soil and organic matter decomposing to create more soil

Creation of compost, a pile of organic matter made of various layers alternating consecutively coal and nitrogen.

The charcoal is provided by the dry part (branches) and nitrogen different layers between green branches, organic matter and fertilizer in different proportions. To maintain it you have to water it with plenty of water, wait two days and turn around completely like this every other day, always controlling the temperature for 18 days, and the compost is ready !

 

 

Comments from 29 March: the compost didn’t work as

“Compost needs a very specific mix of c/n and lots of water to start. Maybe a lack of manure or fresh greens? I don’t know what went into it. Fast compost is good for bacterial things like annuals but trees do much better with slow composting as it is much more fungal. We do both hot and cold here for different uses” – Nick

“It was a try to use up material but definitely there wasn’t enough water in it..and probably not enough nitrogen neither” – Chris (compost creator!)

“I’ll bring some raw biochar which we can soak and put in it and alfalfa. Hopefully that gives it enough moisture and nitrogen to wake it up” – Nick

We will try and wake up the compost and do another intervention in the next few weeks! At least we managed to post the information from October 2021 before the Spring 2022 intervention – even if it’s 5 months late! – Anna

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Zaï Composting

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Zaï Composting

A composting method to regenerate the soil at Boodaville

9th March 2018

The idea came from Yacouba Sawadogo via Alessandro Ardovini and was implemented by Marc Haetjens. We made 30cm circular holes in the ground, filled them with kitchen waste that would normally go on the compost heap, and let the combination of moist food, trapped rainwater, provide a nutritious place for plants to grow. We seeded green manure in each zaï and gave each one a heavy mulch of straw. The holes are about 20cm deep which means that there is enough decompacted healthy soil being made in this area to plant a squash garden. We are choosing to plant from the squash family as the area is in zone 2 and we want something low maintenance. When we left site in October 2017 we had filled about 30 zaïs and we will see what is growing there when we go back next week!!!

Here is a video about how to use a zaï!! Essential knowledge for anyone who comes to volunteer with us!!

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Living Permaculture Volunteer – Eirini

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Living Permaculture Volunteer – Eirini

Living Permaculture volunteer Eirini shares her experience volunteering in Boodaville during the winter of 2021.

My participation in the ESC project “Living Permaculture” is absolutely a life experience for me. Even though I volunteered in Boodaville only for two months, it was enough to receive a new perspective of how I see nature and how the humans can interact with the earth in a positive and creative way.

During the project I had the chance to use my knowledge as a Biologist in a practical way, but also to learn new things about the world of permaculture. Moreover, only by living so close to nature I found out something new every day about the earth and myself. Apart from that, living in such a small village during the winter is a unique experience that made me realize how distracting is the life in big cities and how significant is for me to live in a place where I can observe the season changes. Gradually the colors of the forest were changing and as the sky was getting greyer, our land was getting greener thanks to the seed bombs we offered to her.

One of the greatest things I learnt being a volunteer in Boodaville is the importance of communication and expression of our feelings. Living with three more women, two cats and a dog, and sharing with them a common goal, the improvement and maintenance of Boodaville land, made it clear that we need to communicate deeply with each other and find ways to avoid conflicts. I am so grateful I can take with me home these gained skills and use them to improve my relationships with my friends and family. By the end of my volunteering, I was surprised to find out that I can now express myself so easily even using words that are not on my mother language!

Overall, this project meant a lot to me. The whole experience of living in the nature and exchanging knowledge with these wonderful people that we share similar ideas and perspectives of the world really inspired me and made me feel grateful and connected to my mind and body. The feeling of being part of a community where everyone can contribute with their own personal skills and wisdom, and where solidarity is a protagonist, filled me with hope and made be believe more in myself and humanity. Moreover, after the project I am way more motivated to pursue my dreams of a sustainable way of living and to start my own projects.

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Living Permaculture Volunteer – Irene

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Living Permaculture Volunteer – Irene

Living Permaculture volunteer Irene shares her experience volunteering in Boodaville during the summer of 2021.

Arrival

Motivation: A change of scene, to grow as a person and learn from myself and the environment, to help the environment by contributing knowledge and to improve as much as possible and above all learn from experience.

Expectations: To enjoy nature, learn about Permaculture and other forms of sustainable farming. 

Fears: Some situations which may be out of my control

 

My Experience in Boodaville

Hi, I’m from a place in La Mancha whose name I don’t want to remember; I came here by chance, I did not have in mind to volunteer. Although I have always been interested in social, community projects, self-management, sustainable living, environmentalism and others, I had never had the opportunity. And this opportunity appeared at a decisive moment for me, giving me the opportunity to develop both individually and collectively, to learn from myself and from others, putting into practice my already acquired knowledge and learning from others on many levels. Not only in the areas most directly linked to my volunteer project, such as Permaculture, crop association, soil regeneration, but also in a more personal area such as coexistence and communication. I have met wonderful people the months I have been here.

This volunteering has been different than I expected, but that does not make it less enriching, on the contrary, it was full of new nuances that make it unique.

It has given me the opportunity to share with people with ideas similar to mine and a great desire to do things that are unique.

I haven’t had time to get bored, between the expected and the unexpected.

Unlike perhaps other volunteers, due to the circumstances, here we have had the opportunity to experience real self-management and see how, little by little, with the collaboration of all, it advances. And as with good energy and desire everything is possible.

Boodaville is sprouting from her seed right now, being reborn again. And it makes me happy to be a part of that.

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Better Than New Youth Exchange

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Better Than New Youth Exchange

During this youth exchange “Better than New” we invited the participants to have a look at all that's wasted in our society and how to use these resources creatively.

Six countries represented, 11 nationalities and a big mountain of rejected food and a very wide range of rejected things. That’s the summary of the youth exchange Better than New. Together we explored what gets thrown away these days, why it gets thrown away and how we can give it a new life. We started with a workshop in deep ecology. The rest of the week was filled with excursions to a food producer (did you know red bellpeppers get thrown away because it’s fashion to eat them green or yellow these days?) and a local recycling centre where the participants surprised themselves over how many useful objects get thrown away and given the opportunity to take items home to give them a new life.

 

We loved all sorts of international dances and I’m confident to say that the Hungarian dance was the favorite. More intercultural sharing took place as we learnt about the different cradle to cradle projects that are happening. Also the amount of skills brought to the exchange by participants was phenomenal. From permaculture workshops and Italian pasta making to menstrual pads out of recycled materials (a great way to repurpose broken umbrellas and tents!)

 

This youth exchange is a collaboration between Boodaville and Pipirimosca. It started as a wild idea I spoke out loud one day. With the three of us, Anna, Pere and me, Jessica, we made it happen. Little did we know that Anna was going to give birth to a beautiful baby girl on the second day of the exchange!

 

Link to articles in the press https://increiblesostenible.org/mitjans/articles

Read more about the exchange in Catalan below!

Press note for the article previous to the youth exchange:

 

Del 17 al 27 de setembre. 30 joves de cinc països de la unió europea (Hongria, Grècia, Eslovènia, Espanya i Itàlia) es trobaran a valls per aprendre sobre l’economia circular, prendre consciència de la problemàtica dels residus i aprendre a tornar a donar vida a moltes coses que es llencen.

 Aquest intercanvi juvenil internacional s’emmarca dins de les accions Erasmus+ finançades per la Comunitat Europea, i ha estat organitzat per l’associació Boodaville amb col.laboració amb l’associació pel Desenvolupament Local i Alternatiu (ADeLA) que té la seva seu a Valls a la masia anomenada Can Pipirimosca.

 Durant la seva estada, els joves visitaran la deixalleria de Valls i partint d’objectes que han estat descartats, aprendran a reparar-los o a modificar-los per donar-los un altre ús.

 L’intercanvi, que s’anomena “Better than new” (millor que nou, en anglès) vol conscienciar que el concepte brossa no existeix a la natura, i com a concepte humà, son objectes i materials que tenen un impacte negatiu sobre el planeta, fet el qual, tornar a dona’ls-hi ús té un doble impacte positiu, ja que és un residu menys i un recurs menys que s’ha de produir. D’aquí que reparar i reutilitzar, a nivell d’impacte sobre el planeta, sigui “Millor que nou”.

 

Just els últims dies de l’intercanvi, el dissabte 25, de 10 a 14h, hi haurà el Mercat del Recanvi, organitzat pel departament de sostenibilitat de l’ajuntament de Valls al pati de Valls Genera, i que serà obert a tothom, on, amb inscripció prèvia, es podran portar objectes per intercanviar. Serà en aquest mateix espai on els joves exposaran el treball fet durant l’intercanvi, mostrant objectes recuperats de la brossa que han estat reparats, modificats o reutilitzats.

 Al mercat també hi haurà l’espai de regal de la Fira del RicRac, que organitza Valls en transició amb col.laboració amb la Recicleria Digital.

 

 

 

Press note for the article after youth exchange:

 

 

Del 17 al 27 de setembre 30 joves de cinc països s’han trobat a Valls per aprendre sobre economia circular, prendre consciencia de la problemàtica de les deixalles i emprendre accions, tot reparant i reutilitzant deixalles. En grups de sis, joves de Grècia, Hongria, Eslovènia, Itàlia i Espanya s’han reunit per aprendre i compartir, tot respectant les mesures COVID vigents.

 

 

Aquest intercanvi juvenil internacional s’emmarca dins les accions del programa europeu Erasmus+ i ha estat coorganitzat per l’associació Boodaville, situada a la regió del Matarranya, i l’Associació pel Desenvolupament Local i Alternatiu (AdeLA). L’Associació ADeLA té la seva seu a Valls, concretament a la masia anomenada Can Pipirimosca, lloc on s’ha realitzat l’intercanvi, i des del 2005 promou i fomenta la transició cap a una societat sostenible, justa i participativa.

 

 

L’intercanvi, anomenat «Better than new» («millor que nou», en anglès) posa èmfasi en que el concepte de deixalla és un concepte humà, ja que no existeix a la natura, i en la necessitat de la reducció de les deixalles. En paraules d’un dels formadors, membre de l’associació AdeLA: «Podríem definir com deixalles tot allò produït pels humans, sobretot el darrer segle, que no només no tenen ús per un altre element del ecosistema sinó que tenen un impacte negatiu sobre l’ecosistema, contaminant i posant en perill la vida dels éssers vius.»

 

 

Les activitats van començar divendres 17 amb dos dies de formació sobre ecologia profunda.

 

«En la societat occidental els humans som al capdamunt de tot i les altres formes de vida i el planeta es veuen com simples recursos al servei i disposició dels humans. L’ecologia profunda ens proposa una visió biocèntrica, on la vida entesa com totes les formes de vida i la pròpia biodiversitat son al centre. Ens convida a veure’ns com part de la natura i a respectar els altres éssers vius independentment del valor o utilitat que tinguin pels humans.»

 

Amb aquesta formació inicial es vol donar una base als participants del «perquè» és important no només reduir les deixalles que generem sinó també cercar maneres de tornar-lis a donar un ús.

 

Tornant a donar ús a una deixalla, ja sigui reparant, reutilitzant o donant-li un altre utilitat, s’obté un doble impacte positiu pel planeta: una deixalla menys i un recurs menys que cal produir. D’aquí el concepte que millor que nou, sobretot pel que fa a l’impacte sobre el planeta.

 

 

Del 19 al 24 els participants han estat aprenent com reparar, aprofitar o donar ús a coses que es llencen o que no s’aprofiten. Han pogut participar a tallers tan variats com bricolatge, fusteria, impressió 3D, costura, conserves, permacultura, elaboració de sabó, boles de llavors per reforestar, reparació de bicicletes, així com diferents sessions de cine-forum on han après i pres consciència de diferents problemàtiques, com l’obsolescència programada. També han fet dues visites al projecte de la barraqueta agroecològica per conèixer el funcionament i els reptes d’un productor local ecològic.

 

Dissabte 25 els joves participaran del mercat d’intercanvi i segona mà organitzat pel departament de sostenibilitat de l’ajuntament de Valls, on mostraran en una exposició els objectes recuperats per conscienciar de la necessitat de l’aprofitament dels recursos i la reducció de les deixalles.



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Living the Questions – Youth Worker Training

Erasmus+ Youth Worker Training "Living the Questions" with Boodaville

Living the Questions – Youth Worker Training

In June 2021 Boodaville organized an Erasmus+ Youth Worker Training at Sanillés, in the Spanish Pyrenees. The "Living the Questions" training was about permaculture and "Designing Regenerative Cultures" including practical work and all sorts of non-formal education techniques.

Living the Questions Day 0 Boodaville YWT

Aline and Anna, facilitators Boodaville YWT

Boodaville organised this Youth Worker Training at the beautiful Sanilles Eco- Resort in the Spanish Pyrenees the 20th – 30th June 2021. With participation from over 16 different countries Anna Louise from Boodaville and Aline from La Casa Integral facilitated sessions on Permaculture and Regenerative Cultures (drawing heavily on the texts “Designing Regenerative Cultures” by Daniel Wahl and “People and Permaculture” by Looby McNamara). Many thanks to everyone involved!! It was a beautiful week, and thanks to @morja_zala and Aline among others for the wonderful photos!

A summary from our participants…

“1 + 1 is more than two isn’t it? When we arrived at Sanilles 5 days ago as individuals we had not yet formed the connections that we now have. Through sharing circles, games, singing, eating together, social time and participating in diverse non-formal learning methods, we have steadily built our connections and become more aware of how we may collectively respond to the big questions of our time. In class we have explored permaculture principles and design techniques, and in parallel learnt how to apply these regenerative cultures in the foreseeable future by adapting,  collaborating and using our ability to respond.  Through both our new bonds and what we’ve learned about ecology,  regenerative agriculture, education and economy for example, we have come to an awareness of the need for an attitude of gratitude for the earth and each other. It is a true gift to be united in such diversity, and to be able to put our stereotypes on the table in honesty and learn about the world from multiple perspectives. So by thinking critically, creatively and courageously we can use the knowledge and experiences we have gained to be the change we want to see in the world and inspire others. We face a future when nothing is predictable. Do you breathe air? Then you should care. Our regenerative future is emerging… what role will you play? Let’s step forward together in active hope, and keep going no matter what!”

Permaculture class Boodaville YWT Morning Circle Boodaville YWT

Our classroom was full of resources about ecological design, systems thinking, regenerating economy, education and agriculture and how to care for ourselves and work joyfully with others. 

Permaculture Principles Boodaville YWT Classroom at Sanilles Boodaville YWT

But the best place for learning was outside in the stunning natural surroundings (the difference in temperature inside the building and outside in the sun was huge!!)

Aline introducing Permaculture ethics Boodaville YWT

World cafe session Boodaville YWT

Wahi groups – each day a group participated in the daily tasks of fetching natural spring water, kitchen work and keeping the site tidy

Fresh mountain water Boodaville YWT Washing up Boodaville YWT
 
Free time 
In the Sanilles garden Boodaville YWT Hot spring waters Boodaville YWT Musical break Boodaville YWT
 
Practical work – JADAM microorganism mix, preparing for on contour tree planting with organic matter and biochar. (Full details of design and methods used in a separate post coming soon!)
Preparing for on contour planting Boodaville YWT
 
Intercultural evenings – a chance to share our stories and traditions
 
International food and drink Boodaville YWT Sant Joan Catalan celebration Boodaville YWT
 
Down by the river connection to nature and deep ecology inspired by Joanna Macy
River walk by Sanilles Boodaville YWT Sounding with Silke Boodaville YWT
 
Reflecting on our learning journey, via the medium of drama, art and crazy quiz shows
Dramatic representation of Days 1-4 Boodaville YWT Regenerative poster making, no pen and paper required Boodaville YWT Sam and the Day 4 quiz Boodaville YWT
 
Guest speaker – extra session with a local bamboo expert
Extra session with Fred on Bamboo building Boodaville YWT
 
Presentations of regenerative Economy, Education and Self-Care by the participants.
The question to explore Boodaville YWT Self-care Boodaville YWT Regenerative Economy - based on Caseres village!! Boodaville YWT Regenerative economy presentation Boodaville YWT Regenerative Education presentation Boodaville YWT
Celebration – evening music, laughter and appreciation cards on the last night
Evening celebration Boodaville YWT Appreciation cards Boodaville YWT

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Soil for Life

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Soil for Life

Recently we gathered for an inspiring and educational workshop about SOIL! Part of one of the solidarity projects of 2021, focusing on sustainability, eco living and community.

“We are overlooking soil as the foundation of all life on earth”

— Andres Arnalds

 

Many of us have been regrowing spring onions or lettuce in the kitchen, (trying to) grow avocados from the stone or enthusiastically planting seeds and buying plants and then feeling disheartened when they wilt and die, but this failure and trying and testing is a completely necessary and natural part of this learning process. This has been a beautiful trend which picked up during the periods of confinement, the question is how do we keep this going? 

Successfully growing something from a seed is a simple, humbling process which brings us back to the earth, reminding us of our innate connection to our environment. Getting our hands dirty and watching the plants grow day by day can be a calming and healing process which brings a layer of mindfulness to our days, checking the leaves, the weather, and feeling awe as we watch the process of new life.

We began by getting our hands into some soil samples; comparing, feeling, smelling the soil and identifying what the soil consists of. 

 

“Soil is an almost magical substance, a living system that transforms the materials it encounters”

–George Monbiot. 

 

Turns out it is complex and very much alive, made up of organic matter, microorganisms, air and water (ideally). Anna and her assistant/daughter, Kira, demonstrated the effects of rain over poor quality soil and good quality soil, which got us all thinking about where our food is coming from and how can we regenerate and replenish soil or land that has been depleted by years of monoculture farming? 

Caring for the soil rather than just the plants is fundamental in the sustainability of our environment. It seems that no matter how we look at the topic of the climate crisis and ecological collapse, it always comes back to the soil, as Anna mentioned this quote in the workshop) 

 

“Despite all our achievements we owe our existence to a six-inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains” 

— Farm equipment association of Minnesota and South Dakota

 

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Trust (On Friday’s I write, or make a video)

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Trust (On Friday’s I write, or make a video)

This week I made a video! A reflection on my week in a capitalist society, my week in permaculture and the importance of trust and cooperation.

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