Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) has been implementing and facilitating Permaculture food garden and Environmental workshops for educators throughout the country. The EduPlant programme created an enormous impact in the lives of children, learners, educators and local community members. The programme addresses and promotes food security, environmental greening activities, job creation and contributing towards sustainable development in the country. FTFA’s national programme teaching educators, learners and communities how to sustainably grow their own food. ABSA, Engen and Woolworths Trust are the sponsors for the EduPlant programme.
The programme encourages learners, educators and community members to live in harmony with the environment while reaping the benefits of healthy food and a more eco-conscience lifestyle. The Department of Basic Education supports the initiative as it means the learners who are fed through the permaculture gardens are better able to learn and retain what they’ve been taught, thus integration of 8 active learning areas into the project.These workshops aim to equip educators across the country with the necessary skills to allow them to cultivate permaculture gardens in their own schools and in this way help address food shortages in their communities. Many of the educators who have participated in previous workshops have become so engaged in the permaculture way of gardening that they share their new found skills resulting in more gardens and more sustainably grown food in their communities.
All the educators who have participated in the permaculture food gardening workshops have the opportunity to enter the EduPlant Competition funded by ABSA, Engen and Woolworths Trust. Schools stand the chance of winning great prizes as well as a trip to Johannesburg for the 70 finalists in October this year where they will spend three days in exciting workshops aimed at broadening their skills. The national EduPlant workshops takes place annually and some of the outcomes and practical photos are highlighted in the reports below.
(Ryan PC-Project)
Below are some of reports for Northwest practical Permaculture workshops for educators 2010
Attendance
There were 300 educators attended the EduPlant workshop. The numbers of educators confirmed were 100. The number increased by 200. The educators were brought by buses, taxis and private cars. Most of the schools came from Ottosadale, Taung, Vryburg, Morokweng, Ganyesa, Kuruman, and Warrenton. There were also some representatives from the Department of Education/ National School Nutrition programme and Department of Agriculture, Fishery & Forestry (DAFF). The workshop was facilitated by Joe Matimba and assisted by Mpumi Masina an independent consultant.
Venue plus catering
The workshop took place at Colinda Secondary School. The venue was appropriate and conducive for the EduPlant workshop. There was no Permaculture food garden at the school for practical. The only site available was for planting a tree. The catering was perfect and all the participants were fed.
Permaculture workshop proceedings:
The facilitators covered the following: Permaculture background, Permaculture definition, ethics and principles, zones and sectors, site selection, garden design & layout, permaculture techniques like companion & inter-planting, crop rotation, mulching, soil fertility improvement (making compost and liquid manure, water harvesting & management.
The participants were put into small groups to design their schools into Permaculture system thus include zones and sectors. The facilitators were assisting the participants when they were busy designing the project. The Woolworth Trust EduPlant entry form was discussed in detail and the whole process i.e. selection criteria and levels, the different categories at the finals and relevant prizes.
The facilitator from DAFF demonstrated a tree. During the tree planting, the facilitator highlighted the importance of planting trees in schools, communities, hospitals and clinics to combat climate change. The importance of mulching and appropriate irrigation system was discussed. The participants were extremely impressed by the Permaculture practical.
Highlights and lowlights of the EduPlant workshopParticipant Expectations
Did participants get what they expected?
What participants liked about the workshop?
How to start a permaculture food gardening project (56)
Yes (172)
Natural herbs and their use (9)
Get knowledge about permaculture (69)
More than I expected (92)
Recycling (1)
Water harvesting (44)
No, because we started late, limited the amount of information relayed (4)
Pest control (21)
Expected more learning material (30)
Partially got what I needed, one day is not enough (31)
How people benefit from permaculture (1)
Practical work (12)
The workshop was beyond their expectations
Learn about soil management (2)
More practical skills than theory (18)
This was an informative and educative workshop
Mpumi knows her job (12)
The importance of a food garden (6)
Exciting & interestin
The workshop has enlightened us to go and improve what we started (2)
That everybody knows how to implement (1)
All questions from us were answered by the facilitators (14)
Knowledge on greening our schools (4)
In general the participants enjoyed the workshop and how it was facilitated. · The information was clear and understandable and I will apply every time I start a garden and transfer it to my learners (6)
· Permaculture ethics and principles (17)
· Compost making and compost tea (7)
· Smooth running of the workshop (3)
· How permaculture can help us save money at our school (10)
· Designing the garden (4)
· Lunch was good (5)
What they learnt from the workshop that was important to them?
· Zones and sector planning (77)
· Planting, mulching and watering the tree (25)
· Ethics and principles (12)
· Inter-planting (37)
· Crop rotation (43)
· Pest control (22)
· Mulching (18)
· Importance of trees and plants (21)
· Soil management (23)
· That frozen and most food products we buy from the shop are not healthy (7)
· The fact that we need to share surplus with the needy (5)
· Not just to wait for help from outside but do something with local resources (13)
Was the information presented in a way that was easy to understand?
· Excellent (12)
· Facilitators were well prepared (62)
· Job well done (47)
· Very encouraging (16)
· Very straight forward (88)
· They know their work (32)
Other comments
· We must all plant and green our environments (24)
· These kind of workshops should be run annually so people can put it into practice (32)
· Keep it up, guys you rock (24)
· Proper planning and time management are needed (17)
· Permaculture can go a long to saving our world and producing enough food with limited input (16)
· Facilitators were user friendly (21)
· This workshop is a tool to survive (26)
· The workshop to be lengthened to 2 or 3 days (10)
· Loved the Q & A session (12)
· Please visit the schools to assist and give supports (44)
· Workshops should be done in clusters to avoid large ineffective groups (5)
· I enjoyed practical (31)
· More workshops must be organized (33)
· Keep up the good work (8)
· The competition should be conducted at circuit level first (14)
· The workshop was professionally conducted (5)
Comments by Facilitators
After tea time the workshop resume. The participation and involvement of the educators was excellent. The Department of Education was very supportive throughout the workshop.
Thanks to the School Principal for organizing the venue and a site for planting a tree.
Participants learn about soil preparations:
It was interesting to note that some educators wanted to get seeds and seedlings of herbs and vegetables. The educators asked for visits by the facilitators to their schools. The workshop was excellent and the attendance was good. This was the highest attendance in Northwest province. The photos for tree planting activities are saved in the server.
The workshop at Ottosdale Primary School
Attendance
There were 100 educators attending the Permaculture workshop. The educators confirmed with FTFA were 120. Most of the schools came from Delareyville, Ottosdale, Wolmaranstaad, and Klerksdorp. There were also some representatives from the Department of Education and Department of Agriculture, Fishery & Forestry.
The Permaculture workshop was implemented and facilitated by Joe Matimba and Mpumi Masina an independent consultant.
Venue plus catering
The workshop took place at Ottosdale Primary School. The venue was appropriate and conducive for the EduPlant workshop. The School was not having a site for Permaculture practical. The catering was fine and every educator had something to eat.
Permaculture workshop proceedings
The Permaculture workshop started at 8:30 am and the majority of educators came on time. The participants filled the attendance register and the facilitators distributed the Permaculture educational resources. The participants and other stakeholders such as Department of Education and Department of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry were introduced. The participants were informed of the sponsors of the National School EduPlant programme by the facilitator and the resources distributed were also discussed. The day’s programme was discussed and the participants were advised to participate and involved in all the Permaculture activities so that the workshop would proceed and be successful.
Participants enjoy the EduPlant workshop.
The Department of Agriculture, Fishery & Forestry demonstrated the tree planting with participants. During the tree planting he covered aspects such as the importance of tree planting, tree maintenance, suitable time for watering, water management & conservation through mulching, and he also covered the benefits and functions of the trees in the environment.
What did you expect from the workshop?
· Learn more about what is permaculture (7)
· Learn more about what I don’t know (15)
· How to start a permaculture garden and sustain it (17)
· How to prevent soil erosion (30)
· How to make a good seed bed, and how to plant them (1)
· Explain what permaculture is and where it comes from (20)
Did you get what you expected?
· Absolutely (10)
· Yes it was very imperative knowledge (8)
· Yes and I was surprised at how much I gained (14)
· I definitely got what I expected , as it was my first time to attend such a workshop (30)
· I got what I expected and more (30)
What did you like about the workshop?
· The manner in which the workshop was conducted (8)
· Practical were very enlightening (12)
· The facilitators were marvellous (10)
· The imparting of knowledge with Mpumi (19)
· Harvesting and storage of water (21)
What did you learn from the workshop that was important to you?
· Garden designing (26)
· Planting of the trees, I’ve learnt something new (3)
· Learnt how in the ecosystem everyone and everything need/s each other (2)
· Working with the earth (13)
· Integrating the community (22)
· Group presentation based on zones and sectors (3)
· Permaculture is natural, doesn’t need any chemicals (9)
· Intercropping is one of the most effective ways of pest control(8)
· Co-ordination and co-operation (6)
Was the information presented easy to understand?
· Yes (66)
· Yes, very easy to understand (24)
Any other comments?
· Please try to visit schools this will boost the rate of implementation
· Keep work shopping us until every school a permaculture garden
· We would like the workshop to happen at least twice a year
· These workshops are important and valuable to schools
Comments by Facilitator
The participants were very impressed with the impact and achievement FTFA created in the schools throughout the country. The Participants requested for more EduPlant workshops in the near future.
Attendance
The educators came in numbers, 162 educators attended the workshop. The numbers of educators confirmed were 140 and the number increased by 22. Most of the schools came from Zeerust, Mafikeng, and Lichtenburg. There were also some representatives from the Department of Education.
Venue plus catering
Workshop proceedings
The facilitator broke the ice by throwing a paper ball to the participants to introduce themselves and mention few expectations from the participants. After the expectation, the facilitator introduce Permaculture and the following were covered: the definition of permaculture, ethics and principles, zones and sectors, site selection, garden design & layout, permaculture techniques like companion planting, crop rotation, mulching, soil fertility improvement (making compost and liquid manure, water harvesting & management.
Permaculture food garden Practical
After the theory session the participants were involved in site identification, analyzing the available resources, soil preparation, design mandala bed, application of compost, mulching and watering. The facilitator demonstrated the inter-planting and companion planting. The following vegetable seedlings such as spinach, beetroot, cabbage, onion, green pepper and chilies.
FTFA facilitators also demonstrated tree plating to the participants. The participants were involved in tree planting activities. The following were discussed during the tree planting such as the importance of planting trees, tree maintenance, mulching irrigation and planting of nitrogen fixers around fruit trees.
Highlights and lowlights of the EduPlant workshop
Participant Expectations
· How to start a permaculture food gardening project (26)
· Get knowledge about permaculture (29)
· Water harvesting (1)
· Knowledge on greening our schools (4)
· The definition of permaculture (3)
· Recycling (1)
· Pest control (1)
· How people benefit from permaculture (1)
· Natural herbs and their use (9)
· Practical work (12)
· Learn about soil management (2)
· To get seeds and seedlings of vegetables and herbs (9)
Did participants get what they expected?
· Yes (57)
· More than I expected (31)
· Will use the knowledge to teach my learners (23)
What participants liked about the workshop
· The facilitators were very patient (5)
· The way the facilitators demonstrated how to plant a tree (7)
· The whole facilitation was excellent (3)
· Learning about mulching (29)
· Learning about intercropping (21)
· All questions from us were answered by the facilitators (13)
· Permaculture ethics and principles (17)
· Resource material (25)
· Designing the garden (4)
· The importance of plants (7)
· The explanation on the EduPlant competition (28)
What they learnt from the workshop that was important to them
· Planting, mulching and watering the tree (25)
· Ethics and principles (12)
· Inter-planting (37)
· Crop rotation (11)
· Pest control (32)
· Mulching (21)
· Importance of trees and plants (25)
· Soil management (13)
· That frozen and most food products we buy from the shop are not healthy (3)
· The fact that we need to share surplus with the needy (5)
· Not just to wait for help from outside but do something with local resources (11)
Was the information presented in a way that was easy to understand?
· Yes (38)
· Excellent (12)
· Facilitators were well prepared (32)
· Job well done (7)
· Very encouraging (3)
· The facilitators were very clear (5)
· Very straight forward (8)
· They know their work (2)
Other comments
· We must all plant and green our environments (24)
· The workshop was well presented (39)
· Let the spirit of permaculture go on (2)
· We are really benefitted from the workshop (5)
· I enjoyed practical (7)
· To be provided with video tapes (1)
· More posters should be made available for all participants (1)
· More workshops must be organized (23)
· Keep up the good work (3)
· The competition should be conducted at circuit level first (8)
· Try to visit schools and give support (9)
· Thank you (2)
· The workshop was professionally conducted (13)
· Long live permaculture for our lives (1)
Comments by Facilitator
The workshop proceeded according to the plan and the attendance was excellent. The participants were actively involved in all activities took place during the workshop. This indicated that participants were enjoying the Permaculture and environmental workshop. The involvement and participation of the educators was touching and made the `workshop live and full of energy.
It was great to have Miss N. Masina facilitating with me the Permaculture workshop. The participants were very impressed with the impact and achievement FTFA created in the community and schools throughout the country. The Participants requested for more EduPlant workshops for learners, educators, circuit managers and community in the near future.
Attendance
Venue plus catering
The registration started as early as 8:30 the principal of the school welcome the educators, school governing Board members. During registration participants were given Permaculture educational resources. The participants were informed of the sponsors of the National School EduPlant programme, its impact and achievements within the schools. The contribution of EduPlant in environmental greening and food security in schools. The one programme was discussed and the participants were advised to be fully involved, participate and contribute constructively so that the workshop could proceed and be successful. The EduPlant 2010 competition was also discussed and the participants showed eagerness and keen to participate in the programme.
The one-day covered the theory such as: the definition of permaculture, ethics and principles, zones and sectors, site selection, garden design & layout, permaculture techniques like companion planting, crop rotation, mulching, soil fertility improvement (making compost and liquid manure, water harvesting & management. The participants were involved in design their school premises into zone & sector. The participants enjoyed the group work and managed to share skills, experience and school designing information with others.
Participants enjoy the planting of vegetables.
After the theory, the participants were involved in practical. FTFA facilitators lead the participants in soil preparation, design mandala bed, application of compost, mulching, watering and companion planting.
The participants were also involved in tree planting activities after the food garden design. This marked the end of the EduPlant workshop. All the participants filled in the evaluations.
Highlights and lowlights of the Permaculture workshop:
What did you expect from the workshop?
· Learn more about what is permaculture (46)
· How to do effective pest control (23)
· How to remove pests from fruit trees. (6)
· To learn how to reduce soil erosion (10)
· A well organised and effective workshop (16)
· Get more knowledge on the EduPlant competition (18)
Did you get what you expected?
· Yes (82)
· Yes, a lot more than I expected thank you (9)
· Yes it was so empowering (10)
· It was worth my time (11)
What did you like about the workshop?
· The facilitator was informed and easily relayed the material (44)
· The practical was a welcomed addition to the workshop (21)
· I liked the new idea that I acquired (2)
· I liked the formation of the zones and sectors (11)
· How permaculture contributes to us saving the world (2)
· Te facilitators were so dynamic and knew what they were talking about (11)
· Learning different ways of saving energy (7)
What did you learn from the workshop that was important to you?
· Garden designing (10)
· Learning that you don’t use blue death to kill pest but find natural alternatives (6)
· How to mulch and creating a Mandela bed (13)
· Learning how to fertilise and how to make my own manure (12)
· Not to plant a tree with that plastic covering on (1)
· That anyone can start a permaculture garden (10)
· A learnt so much I don’t know which was more important (14)
· Te importance of mulching (21)
· The importance of harvesting water (22)
· Co-ordination and co-operation (3)
Was the information presented easy to understand?
· Yes, very easy to understand (12)
Any other comments
· Keep work shopping us until every school a permaculture garden
· It was a great honour to be at this workshop
· We would like the workshop to happen at least twice a year
· These workshops are important and valuable to schools
Comments by Facilitators
The workshop proceeded according to the plan. The participants were heavily involved in all activities took place during the workshop. This indicated that participants were hungry for permaculture and environmental knowledge, skills and information. The involvement and participation of the educators was touching and made the `workshop live and full of energy. It was great to have Ms. N. Masina assisting in facilitating the EduPlant workshop 2010. The participants were very impressed with the impact and achievement FTFA created in the schools in terms of addressing food security and environmental greening programmes. The Participants requested more environmental and EduPlant workshops for learners, educators, circuit managers and community.
All in the entire workshop was a great success.
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