Better Life Gardening Project Workshops
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3/3/2017
Better Life Gardening Project
Workshops
Seminar Room 1,
Skymall, Haggatt Hall,
St Michael
Topics:
• What is organic home gardening?
• Benefits of organic home gardening
• Managing NCDs through organic home gardening
• Utilizing limited space to develop your organic home garden
1
3/3/2017
WELCOME
Edward Bushell
President, BARP
PROJECT OVERVIEW
2
3/3/2017
The Site
Site preparation
3
3/3/2017
Members of the BARP Education Committee and Artisans
Greenhouse Setup
4
3/3/2017
Greenhouse Setup
Project Context
• To improve the quality of life of our members in their golden years by
promoting healthy lifestyles so that those years can be enjoyable and
productive, can be counted among the best years - not diminished by ill-
health;
• NCDs – High incidence among seniors and much of the discomfort comes
from NCDs;
• Studies done locally indicate that there is a high incidence of NCDs among
the over 60 population in Barbados;
• Refer to the NCD strategic plan.
5
3/3/2017
Better Life Gardening Project
• Approved by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme,
implemented by United Nations Development Programme (GEF SGP UNDP);
• The project will aim to equip both BARP members and the wider public with
best practices to grow sustainable home gardens;
• The project will feature hands on training in various growing techniques while
making important linkages to health and wellness as well as nutrition.
PRIMARY GOALS
To improve the productivity and sustainability of local food gardening;
To increase public education and awareness in relation to healthy eating.
6
3/3/2017
OBJECTIVES
• To train groups of BARP members directly on sustainable organic gardening
practices, over a period of one year;
• To share training materials with BARP members (40,000 plus) and families,
through online streaming/display, and use of other media;
• To sensitise BARP members to the need for mitigation, adaptation/resilience
to climate change and the linkages between wholesome food and good
health;
• To provide ready access to safe, healthy food – grown and eaten at source
• Healthy food, a ready supply of fruits and vegetables need not be
expensive!!!
Demonstration Gardens at Bullens
Agricultural Station
• Partnership with the Ministry to Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water
Resource Management for their involvement in the project and giving
permission to use this portion of land.
7
3/3/2017
Outcomes
• Simple irrigation systems for • Social Networking
home/family use
• Sale of home-grown products –
• Organic sustainable practices for supplemental income
the control of pest and diseases
• Exercise
• Practices suitable for the
physically challenged • Pride/satisfaction of growing
plants/herbs for home use
• Growing devices suitable for home
• Additional income source
environments that may have
challenges with space
ASSURING FOOD AND NUTRITION
SECURITY THROUGH HOME
GARDENING
Can organic farming make a difference?
By Mr. John Hunte
Secretary, Organic Growers and Consumers Association
(OGCA)
8
3/3/2017
The Holistic Approach
• Increase soil biodiversity, reduce soil erosion
• Better moisture retention in soil
• Use more readily available inputs to reduce costs
• Spend more on labour, less on chemicals and save money
and the environment.
• Reduce monocrops and reduce pests.
Water Management
• Out of season heavy
rains and floods
• Inefficient irrigation
systems
Need to capture and
reuse more run off water.
9
3/3/2017
Extended Dry Seasons
• Greater risks of wild fires
• Cost of production issues
Need for research into more
drought tolerant varieties.
More household growing
systems.
Environment Management System
Meeting World Standards
• Good Agricultural Practices
103/3/2017
Education
• STARTS WITH THE VERY YOUNG
Education cont’d
VISITING STUDENTS
• ALL AGES AND WALKS OF LIFE
LOCAL PARTICIPANTS
113/3/2017
SEEDLING TO SERVING
Think Outside the Box
• A balanced body and mind works • A centralized food management
well when we have adequate system can help to bring balance
exercise, education, quality to the environment and
food, purpose, and a nurturing agriculture.
environment. These then work
to maintain a functioning and • It can act like the central nervous
complex central nervous and system in our bodies.
auto immune system.
123/3/2017
Think Outside the Box cont’d
• WHAT VALUE DO WE PLACE ON • WE CAN ALSO AGREE THAT A
HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
SECURITY, EDUCATION? AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS
ALSO ESSENTIAL. THE FOOD
• WE ALL AGREE THAT THEY ARE HAS MORE VALUE THAN THE
ESSENTIAL FOR A DEVELOPING COST OF PRODUCTION.
SOCIETY.
Conclusion
PLANNING
Reduce Location of
food bill garden
TRAINING
Peace of Prepare
mind inputs
Increase Choose
exercise crops
133/3/2017
THANK YOU!
Mr. John Hunte
Secretary, Organic Growers & Consumers Association (OGCA)
251-1746
huntejohn@8gmail.com
NEXT PRESENTER
Mr. Rowmell Grosvenor
Managing Director, GB Greens
143/3/2017
BARP BETTER LIFE
GARDENING
The
Gardening With Limited Space
Presented By:
Rowmell Grosvenor
Of
GB GREENS
153/3/2017
BARP Better Life Gardening
• OBJECTIVES
Benefits in Gardening
Eating health with your IKG
Growing With Limited Space
About GB Greens
163/3/2017
Societal Challenges – Fast Paced World
Fast Foods
Reduced Exercise
Spread of Non-
Communicable Diseases
Stress
Solution – GARDENING!!
Eat Healthier
Therapeutic Through Light
Exercise (Body & Mind)
Reduced Non-
Communicable Diseases
Reduced Stress Levels
Community Sharing
173/3/2017
Agri-home – How do we grow with such limited
space at home?
Instant Kitchen Garden (IKG)!!
Dice-a-Bed Soil mix
Semi Automatic Irrigation
Bird Netting
Seedlings of your Choice
Organic Home-made Pesticides
Spray Bottle
183/3/2017
BARP Better Life Gardening
Instant Kitchen Garden (IKG)!!
BARP Better Life Gardening
Instant Kitchen Garden (IKG)!!
193/3/2017
OTHER Kitchen Garden Concepts
HALF DRUMS
CONCRETE BRICK
ARRANGEMENT
Traditional - EARTH PLOWING
GROWING FROM BOTTLE/PIPES
QUESTIONS?
Mr. Rowmell Grosvenor
Managing Director, GB Greens
232 8184
gb.greens246@gmail.com
203/3/2017
BENEFITS DERIVED
FROM ORGANIC HOME
GARDENING
Presenters:
February 21: John Maxwell, Phyllis Reece, Jean Greaves
March 1: Phyllis Reece, Jennifer Courtenay, Eston Lowe
Better Life Gardening Participants
• Healthy eating
• Exercise
• Stress relief
• Reduction of garbage
• Cost savings
• Other sources of income
213/3/2017
NEXT PRESENTER:
Mr. George Gill
Environmental Benefits of Home Composting
Environmental Benefits
of Home Composting
Composting 101: A quick look into backbreaking work!
By Mr. George Gill
Director, Live Earth
223/3/2017
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE SOIL
HEALTH
• Increase organic matter in soil through increasing ground cover &
vegetation, applying mulch & compost
• Encourage biodiversity - above & below the soil
• support & protect soil microbial ecologies, including fungi
• Use biological-based fertilizers
233/3/2017
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE
SOIL HEALTH CONT’D
• Use vegetation intelligently within managed landscapes to protect soils
from the effects of wind and salinity
• Aim to have 100% ground cover, 100% of the time
• Practice minimal tillage & retain crop stubble
• Use time-controlled planned rotational grazing
• Reduce dependence on increasingly expensive fossil fuel & non-organic
fertilizers & pesticides
243/3/2017
THE HISTORY OF COMPOST
• THIS IS COOL!
• Composting began long, long
long ...Ok, you get it! It’s been
around since the first growth
of vegetation lived out their
life cycles, and upon
decomposition create a store
house for nutrients and water,
which in turn become
fundamental for the creation
of new plant life!
• Step 1: Find a site
Selecting a site is very important, here are few things to look for:
near your garden at least 2 feet away from windows, fencing and wooden
structures.
Close to running water in a shaded area level ground.
253/3/2017
• Step 2 : Add the ingredients
The big thing to know here is about wet & dry...and to some degree,
brown and green.
Vegetable waste, lawn clippings, fresh leaves, stalks, yard waste all
represent the NITROGEN component for making compost and;
Dried leaves, branches, wood shavings, dried bark, sawdust all represent
the CARBON component.
WATER - must have for all life forms, likewise for your compost.
• Step 3 : Mix Right
Lay down a foundation layer of sticks
CARBON to allow air for the bacteria
WATER every layer, add a little (that’s why
you need to be able to reach your compost
with a hose)
NITROGEN on top of this, place 4”-6” layer
of rich leafy material
CARBON layer of 4”-6” repeat until you get
to at least 3’ in height (and not more than 6’
if you are doing a basic compost pile)
263/3/2017
• Step 4 : Maintain the pile
Now You are going to want to maintain your pile to
maximize the composting process. From the start of
your compost bin or pile, you are going to want to turn
the compost every 4-5 days the first 5 times to allow it
to get enough air for the bacteria to do their work.
After that, every 7-10 days should suffice. You do not
want to disturb the pile so much that earthworms
cannot take residence! After all, they are some of the
main builders of your compost!
And don’t worry if you miss some of the steps...Mother
Nature knows a thing or three!
Step 5: Be Patient
Old, damp
newspaper
Study this compost pile structure one Carbon layer
last time... for your next pile!
Nitrogen
layer
NB: Add to the top, extract from the Carbon layer
bottom, as the pile matures.
Nitrogen
layer
Sticks &
branches
273/3/2017
Step 6: Go Wild!
Last, but not least...go wild... with
your finished compost!
It will be great for your potting mix,
kitchen garden or lawn!
Also, if waiting at least 6 weeks is too
much, as mulch, compost can be
tilled directly into the ground to
assist in retaining water and
nutrients.
Three Functions of Humus
1. Physical: Organic waste can be improve the soil
matrix, reducing compaction, increase porosity,
water absorption
2. Chemical: the organic elements of humus assist the
plants in their intake of nutrients
3. Biological: humid organic material favours the
bacterial activity, and is fundamental for good soil
fertility. The strong presence of microflora and
micro fauna are necessary for optimal plant growth
283/3/2017
Q: How Much Can You Compost?
A: A LOT
293/3/2017
Monte Testaccio
• This hill in Rome is an
example of composting
dating back to the ancient
Romans.
Why Composting is vital today?
Economic
creating jobs
removing public health hazards
reduced national costs for SSA, BWA, NCC
303/3/2017
Social
community clean-ups lead to safer, brighter, more livable communities
diverse job creation by empowering women and youth, in sustainable
entrepreneurship.
• Did you know that a ton of compost sequesters 1.7 tons of CO2? That
means every 60 lbs. bag of compost is equal to 100 lbs. of carbon
snatched out the air!
Few Methods of Composting
Simplest form of
composting
313/3/2017
Three stall compost bin
• This example can be built from
recycled wood. The three separate
compartments allow for material to
be transferred from one stall to the
successive stall, as it matures i.e.
“flipping the pile”
Anecdotes
• Experiences
• Centipedes are your friends
• Compost piles should be teeming with
creatures
• Temperature within the pile will variate,
but you want it to be quite warm to the
touch,
• Yes, Sargassum can be composted!
323/3/2017
Compost Pile
Structure...again!
In Closing
• Aim should be to increase composting
awareness and highlight the necessity of the
practice to modern societal needs. As we
continue to adapt as a society, we will be
challenged to make the changes, both large
and small, to allow for composting to become
more present as an alternative to dealing with
organic waste.
333/3/2017
Composting does NOT have to be hi-tech
Last, but DEFINITELY not
least...
• NB: use old shower curtains to assist
compost piles to mature quickly, in
absence of tarps. Moisture retained
within the pile is helpful in
decomposition, especially during long
dry spells.
Thank You!!!
Wishing you all success in your
composting
from
Mr. George Gill
Director, Live Earth
288-0713
george.gill85@gmail.com
343/3/2017
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES
TO PARTICIPANTS
Edward Bushell
President, BARP
Better Life Gardening Participants
• Arrindale Small • June Stuart
• Audrey Atherley • Margaret Blenman
• Elridge Bellamy • Marcia Powlett
• Errol Austin • Monica Simmons
• Esther Fields • Morris Sobers
• Eston Lowe • Muriel Ramsay
• Golda Holligan • Paulina Walcott
• Grace Toppin • Phyllis Reece
• Hazel Larrier • Rolph Jordan
• Jean Greaves • Ruth Taylor
• Jennifer Courtenay • Sheila Bushell
• John Maxwell • Sonia Parris
353/3/2017
DEMONSTRATION
GARDENS
Bullens Agricultural Station
363/3/2017
373/3/2017
Greenhouse Block Garden
Raised Garden Beds Instant Kitchen Garden (IKG)
383/3/2017
Raised Garden Beds
Raised Garden Beds
393/3/2017
Block Gardens Raised Garden Beds
403/3/2017
Harvest Time
413/3/2017
Backyard Gardening Manual
• The ‘Everyone Can Grow Vegetables:
The Backyard Gardening Handbook’
was used as the reference text during
the Better Life Gardening training
workshops.
• Available for purchase at the BARP
Office for $35.
VOTE OF THANKS
423/3/2017
THANK YOU!
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