Learn about urban farming

Not only do we crave natural organic food sometimes but it is also recommended by health practitioners for our well-being. In 2010, Birdhaven resident, Cliff Rosen, committed to enriching South African Lives by providing a means to sustainable, healthy living through chemical-free urban farming projects.

According to Jodi Lynn Karpes from GreenQueen Communications, and director of Let It Grow Foundation, it all began with a small raised bed on Rosen’s tennis court. “The tennis court was soon transformed into beds and this is where the experimenting and learning began on a deeper level. By 2012, there was an abundance of produce and food on the urban farm. The next logical step was to share the food, the knowledge and ability to ‘grow your own’ food. And the Let It Grow Foundation was founded by Cliff,” said Karpes.

Rosen was joined by Jayson Fox, a director too, and the two residents still run the non-profit company that focuses on sharing knowledge and tools on urban farming through the use of permaculture principles. She added that the duo is actively involved within communities and their main purpose is practical social development and teaching.

In explaining permaculture, Rosen said, “This is a method which uses nature whereby the agricultural ecosystems are sustainable and self-sufficient. We use borehole water and we built a bog filtered pond to bring the element of water into the urban farm and enhance the biodiversity of the eco-system.” He added that they practise companion planting, which is a method of planting in which each different plant enhances the other’s growth or protects each other from pests. This is how you will get the most out of your organic garden.

“Inputs are key in this type of farming. We prefer to use compost and manure to feed the soil then the soil will feed the plants. We also follow seasonal guidelines to plant as different plants fair better during certain seasons, for instance, I plant mealies in summer. We also practise crop rotation and plant insect-repelling plants,” Rosen explained.

The key vision of the two trailblazer social entrepreneurs is to encourage and guide communities and households to start their own urban farms. They run a successful programme in Soweto where the resources have been donated, lessons are given weekly by Rosen and Fox, the community members work in the garden and there is now an abundance of organic food.

Here are some tips towards thriving urban farming:

• When doing home composting, don’t add chemicals or cooked food
• Don’t use pineapple in your compost as the acidity kills the earthworms
• You can use eggshells in the compost for calcium, but grind them finely first so they break down easily into the soil
• Collect as many glass jars as you can so as to recycle and use for seeds
• Urban farming is ideal for limited space.

Details: For more information, to donate or volunteer, visit Let It Grow Foundation www.letitgrow.co.za

Know any local, non-profit community projects? Share more information by email to naidines@caxton.co.za

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