Growth and Resilience

We are Budding Farmers, and we love to watch things grow!

BUDDING FARMERS - Vol. 1 #1 | January - February 2022

PUBLISHER

Got Creative Media

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Grace Henry

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | LAYOUT ARTIST

Cedric Henry

EDITORS

Donnette Hines | Grace Henry

WRITERS

Donnette Hines | Jade Stone | Annmarie H. | Joedi J | Grace Henry | Racquel Simpson

CONTRIBUTOR

Natalie Murray- Health Coach

PHOTOGRAPHER

Cedric Henry (Kingston, Jamaica)

COVER CREDIT

Model: Hon. Min. Pearnel Charles Jr.

Photographer: Cedric Henry

CONTACT

Telephone: (876) 667.3492

buddingfarmersjamaica@gmail.com

BUDDING FARMERS Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. All content appearing in this magazine may not be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, distributing, recording or by any information storage retrieval system without written permission from the publisher.

SALES / BUSINESS

Contact:

Budding Farmers Ja, 15 Grovedale Drive, Kingston 10. Telephone: (876) 667.3492

email: buddingfarmersjamaica@gmail.com

email: gotcreativemedia@gmail.com

Editor’s Note

elcome to the first of the Budding Farmers Grow-Zine.

We will carry you on a journey to plan, start and maintain your garden. We want to encourage families and communities to “Eat what they Grow and Grow what they Eat”.

A Budding Farmer is anyone who has little to no prior knowledge of gardening, but is willing to put in the effort, get their hands dirty and meet the needs of their families and communities. Some Budding Farmers graduate to becoming a small, medium or large farmer who are able to contribute to the country’s food security. We want you to share your trials, failures and successes.

The impact of COVID-19 on families across the world and in our island homes have been severe and we must come together with the mutual aim of reducing hunger and providing additional income for our families.

We will provide you with a straightforward guide to planting, caring and harvesting, recipes from the garden, inspirational stories from fellow Budding Farmers, practical tips from expert farmers, solutions to garden problems and so much more.

Let’s get or our hands dirty- We are Budding Farmers and I love to watch things GROW!

Happy Gardening!

Grace Henry, Chief Editor

G.AHenry

Budding Farmers Grow Club Launched with a BANG!

By: Donnette

hat would the world be like if all its children were able to plant a seed, watch the food grow and explore issues around global food security? With close to 200 children registered for the inaugural staging of the Budding Farmers Grow Club, it is safe to say that we are on that journey to see this vision coming to light.

With that, what started as a pandemic escape has now blossomed into the roll out of a school based farming club as co-founders Mikayla-Ann and Matthew Aaiden Henry, 5 and 7 years old respectively, are intent on spreading their love for farming and the outdoors, to as many children across the world as possible.

Hines | Photos by: Cedric Henry

Founder Mrs. Grace Henry interacting with the kids.

Left to right: DJ VerG, Matthew Aaiden, Yaksta, Mikayla-Ann.

Budding Farmers

Children have already been engaged in starting their own compost, exploring earthworms and the impact they have on soil quality, looking at the role of insects and in particular the bees in pollination and global food security.

At Seprod Foundation, agriculture is really important, and so they have been supporting the venture through every step of the way. They have been encouraging many parents to get their children involved, to make the most of this experience, and most importantly, have FUN!

Co-Founders Matthew Aaiden & Mikayla-Ann Henry

The new Budding Farmers Grow Club is an agriculture based extra-curricular activity aimed at engaging children in discovering the ins and outs of planting, growing and caring for agricultural outputs from the farm to the table while improving their numeracy and literacy skills.

If founder Grace Henry had it her way, every home would have a backyard garden so that no child would go to bed hungry or malnourished. As part of the Budding Farmers Grow Club, at the end of each term, children would have participated in numerous experiments, projects and most importantly would either be reaping from their farm or in the process of seeing their farm mature.

Registration is open for the upcoming school term. Register at: https://bit.ly/3GMV22e or our social media pages at @buddingfarmersja

Budding Farmers

Container Gardening Tips

By Annmarie H.

Life begins the day you start a garden.

— Chinese Proverb

1.

At Budding Farmers Ja , we know that not everyone has a wide open yard space to get their backyard garden started. So here are some of our best tips for successful container gardens.

Provide the Right Light and Temperature.

Most fruiting vegetables, like tomatoes, need full sun, that is, at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Don’t overestimate how much sun an area gets. For your vegetables to be successful, you’ll need an accurate assessment. Check the location every 30 minutes throughout the day to confirm how long the sun directly hits the spot where you want to put your container garden. For working parents this is a great opportunity to get the kiddies involved. They love tracking random things, especially the very little ones.

Budding Farmers

2.

Watering Your Garden.

Many vegetable plants need plenty of water. You have to be careful though, you don’t want to drown your plants. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist but not soaking wet. To figure out whether your plants need water, stick your finger down into the soil about an inch. If the soil feels dry, add water; if you’re not sure, wait and check later in the day. At the height of summer, you’ll probably need to water at least once or sometimes twice a day.

3.

Using Quality Potting Soil.

High-quality potting soil is important. Don’t use soil from your garden, because it will compact in the containers and won’t drain water properly. Also, one of the reasons to garden in containers is largely to avoid dealing with weeds and soil-borne diseases. Visit any farm and garden store to purchase good quality potting soil.That said, don’t let this stop you from getting started. Use what you have until you can access what you want.

A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.

— Gertrude Jekyll

4.

Feeding Your Plants.

Plants need nutrition to thrive, and their food is fertilizer. If your soil doesn’t have fertilizer already mixed in, add some several times throughout the growing season. Many gardeners mix organic, granular fertilizer into the containers before planting. Another way to add nutrients is to make or buy compost, which helps feed the plants. A Budding Farmer’s hack is to blend all food scraps then pour the liquid in the planting area.

5.

Creating Optimal Drainage.

Drainage is key to prevent your plants from drowning. Your container should let excess water out of the bottom, so your plants won’t sit in overly soggy soil and succumb to root rot. There should be one large hole or several smaller holes located at the base of your container.

You can usually drill holes in the pot if the drainage is insufficient, and you can cover a large hole before adding soil with a coffee filter or plastic screening to keep the dirt from coming out the bottom. If your container sits on a hard surface, the hole might plug up. Elevating your container with pot feet or stones will help your soil drain easily.

6.

Selecting the Perfect Container.

We know, it can become daunting when deciding which container. You can use almost anything for a garden planter as long as it’s big enough, has good drainage, and is made of food-safe material. But keep in mind that the larger your container is, the easier it will be to maintain. The more soil a container can hold, the more moisture it will retain. In general, don’t bother with containers that are smaller than 12 inches across. Bigger really is better when it comes to growing vegetables in containers. We recommend the 5-Liter water bottles cut open on the side as the basic recycled starter container.

ear Farmers,

Agriculture Resilience in Fisheries and D

I am grateful to our Prime Minister for the confidence placed in me to lead the ministry in this most critical time. Be assured, that I am your advocate for our national effort to build a resilient Agriculture and Fisheries sector.

Despite the devastating impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, our farmers have displayed the resilience necessary to rebuild and revive our critical industry. The Planning Institute of Jamaica notes that the sector grew by 7.2% over the last reported quarter and is set to grow even further in 2022 - thanks to the efforts of farmers like you. That said, we remain focused on ensuring that Jamaica can feed itself and the world.

Photography: Cedric Henry Location: Budding Farmers Backyard Garden

PearnelHon.

Charles Jr.

Min. of Agriculture and Fisheries

My mandate, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, is to spearhead the transformation towards a sustainable and resilient Agriculture and Fisheries sector. The sector is and will continue to be a key sector in the growth and development of Jamaica. In leading the charge for this growth, we will be focusing on five (5) priority areas. Research and development is key in driving the sector and this will be high on my agenda as Minister. It is my vision to have a Jamaica in which the Agriculture and Fisheries sector is more enticing to youth and women as a viable business, and to see the expansion of local production with little to no praedial larceny across the island. This is a critical area for the Government, as we build a foundation for sustained growth and the betterment of the lives of so many Jamaicans.

1. Increase Local Production.

As we work towards reducing our dependence on imports, we must now begin to start attracting more capital investment in the industry. This will be at the forefront of some of the immediate actions to be undertaken by the ministry. There is no coincidence that my experiences have all prepared me to champion this multifaceted sector. I intend to leverage all relationships to seek meaningful investment the sector requires to increase output. In fact, some of these conversations have already begun.

Additionally, we will integrate climate smart agricultural practices to ensure and improve access to technical resources to all farmers irrespective of size and scale.

It is my vision to have a Jamaica in which the Agriculture and Fisheries sector is more enticing to youth and women as a viable business...

2. Increase Research and Development

As in many other areas in farming and agriculture, one of the key areas we must bolster is research and development. Historically, Jamaica was once a significant contributor to the body of knowledge in agriculture and in particular, the level of research that went into cattle and dairy farming with the development of a new species. We need to and will work towards getting back to that level as more support will be given to research institutions dedicated to the issues facing our farmers.

For instance, I will be doing a deep dive into issues related to incorporating more pest resistant crops where possible. It has not gone unnoticed, that the beet armyworm continues to be a significant threat to the spice industry especially with the ripple effect felt in the agro-processing companies that contribute significantly to extended earnings among families islandwide.

You see, when you think about it from the perspective of Brand Jamaica and how the agriculture sector contributes to its definition of Jamaica’s taste profile, as chief policy maker, it is my prerogative to ensure I do all that can be done to protect this. So if the main purveyors of the spices that help to define this taste profile are being impacted, then it is also my priority to attend to the key issues affecting their livelihood. This leads me to my third priority area.

For too long, the Agriculture Sector has been most impacted by the difficulty in accessing loans from the finance sector. This has resulted in a slowing of growth, and a styming of opportunities for our farmers. It is therefore critical for me to place emphasis on this area, so that our farmers can continue to invest in food production. In acknowledging the inherent risks associated with the sector (especially vulnerabilities to national disasters), does this mean that we might need to encourage more contract-based farming or small farmers working in conjunction with mother-farms so that finance institutions can negotiate with the larger players in a way that the smaller players can benefit?

And how do we begin to finance the technology and farming techniques that are more resilient in our vulnerable environment with the argument being, that if these new techniques significantly reduce the risks associated with farming, then certainly capital should be made available to support this kind of investment. These are the kinds of conversations that need to happen and will happen under my tenure. So look out for more on this.

3. Increasing financing opportunities for our farmers and fisherfolks.

It is therefore critical for me to place emphasis on this area so that our farmers can continue to invest in food production.

4. Introducing innovation and investment to address Praedial Larceny.

This area of focus is on the minds of every family who has an interest in the sector whether a backyard farmer or a large scale farmer. The thieves among us continue to plague the sector, removing billions of dollars of investment from the sector. Under my tenure I will be spearheading the The Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act – The amendment of the Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act will seek to strengthen enforcement measures in an effort to curtail the scourge and high incidences of the crime of praedial larceny and other related offences that impact the lives of our farming stakeholders.

With this in mind, I urge all farmers, especially those with commercial interests, to use this period to get registered with their nearest RADA office, as the ability to be identified as the legitimate owner or agricultural produce will be critical to the implementation of the act once it comes on stream.

Gone are the days when agriculture was thought to be an old person’s profession. In fact, more and more young people are actively choosing this path for their livelihood. This is commendable. I would however like to encourage more diversified opportunities within the sector. So, for the young tech enthusiasts, I would love to see solutions and ideas being proposed to tackle some of the issues being faced by the sector. At the Ministry, this is the kind of forward thinking effort that we are more than ready to endorse as it will only augur well for the country in the long run. I will be exploring this in a lot more detail as we seek to deepen the involvement of youth in agriculture and position Jamaica as an innovator on the global stage.

The same goes for women in the sector, as many have found it lucrative to earn and care for their families. The poultry sector in particular is a clear indication of this, where the majority of its farmers are women. Despite this, there is still room for more participation. I want to encourage those of us who have family lands that are currently idle, to put it to use. I also recognize that with more new farmers entering the sector, there is and will be an increased need for knowledge based support. It is for this reason that I can announce that I intend to partner with and support the efforts of Budding Farmers and similar social enterprise organizations, geared at introducing farming concepts and providing the information support to our new farmers across the island.

In closing, I also want to use this opportunity to laud the effort of every farmer across Jamaica, and every person who works to support the interest of the sector. I want to assure you that we are in this together. I am grateful to serve on a strong team with our Prime Minister, Most Hon. Andrew Holness, leading the charge to develop the ‘New Jamaica’. I am committed to working hard, thinking smart and staying focused on achieving results with you that will benefit Jamaica.

Yours

in Service

Pearnel

M.P.

5. Encourage participation of more youth and women in Agriculture.

Hon.

Charles Jr.,

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE and FISHERIES

I want to encourage those of us who have family lands that are currently idle, to put it to use.

Pak

A Let’s Grow

s Budding Farmers, we get excited to start our garden even if it’s with just a few plants. Let’s go on a journey together with this crunchy goodness!

Pak choi is so easy to grow that even a Budding Farmer can do it. All you have to do is scatter the seeds on the plot, cover them lightly with compost, and water them. When they have four or five leaves, transplant them to a plot or a container with at least 4 inches of separation between each plant.

Pak-choi; (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) belongs to the Cruciferae family.

Pak-choi can be eaten either raw or cooked. It contains carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fibre, vitamin C and sodium. Planting a few crops weekly will provide a constant supply of this vegetable for the household. (Can you start to count the money being saved right here?)

What you will need:

• Pak choi seeds

• Container or small part of garden

• Soil

• Fertilizer, compost

• Water

Together! CHoi

By Annmarie H.

Method:

SOIL PREP: Till the soil with a garden fork. Form beds if needed; about 1m (3ft) wide. Pak-choi responds well to organic manure and does not tolerate acidic soils. Mix one handful of well-rotted manure in the soil and incorporate 5g (1tsp) of hydrated agricultural lime in each planting hole.

PLANTING: Feel free to plant in containers intercropping with herbs and other vegetables. Pakchoi seeds germinate in 4-6 days and are ready for transplanting in about 10–14 days after germination.

TRANSPLANTING: When several plants are planted in the same area, plants should be placed about 25cm (10in) apart within rows and 38–45 cm (15-18 in) between rows. Seedlings should be transplanted late in the afternoon to prevent wilting.

WATERING: Water the plants immediately after transplanting. Thereafter, water daily if there is not sufficient rainfall. When watering, add water to the ground at the base of the plant to avoid splashing soil unto the leaves.

HARVESTING: Most varieties mature in about 4-5 weeks after transplanting although it is not unusual to harvest earlier than this. Harvest by cutting the entire head from the soil and trimming off old, dead leaves.

STORING: Pak-choi can be placed in perforated plastic bags and kept in the refrigerator for 2 – 3 weeks.

Who would have thunk it?

Interesting Facts About Cucumber

By: Donnette Hines

Did you know the cucumber is actually a fruit?

I mean it has edible seeds, succulent flesh, firm skin. Why did we think it was a vegetable? In the grand scheme of things, what really matters is that we eat it, and eat lots of it!

Here’s why…

It’s High in Nutrients

Cucumbers are low in calories but high in many important vitamins and minerals.

One 11-ounce (300-gram) unpeeled, raw cucumber contains the following:

Calories: 45

Total fat: 0 grams

Carbs: 11 grams (Hello waistline watchers…this is definitely for you)

Protein: 2 grams

Fiber: 2 grams (ensure you eat the skin)

Now check out these magnificent

Vitamins and

Minerals - can we talk about these antioxidants cleaning the skin?

Vitamin C: 14% of the RDI

Vitamin K: 62% of the RDI

Magnesium: 10% of the RDI

Potassium: 13% of the RDI

Manganese: 12% of the RDI

Although, the typical serving size is about one-third of a cucumber, eating a standard portion would provide about onethird of the nutrients above.

Additionally, cucumbers have a high water content. In fact, cucumbers are made up of about 96% water (2 trusted sources).

- Recommended Daily Intake

Backyard Gardening Empowering Families

Jehvari Brown

By

Jehvari hails from the urban city of Kingston and joined the Budding Farmers Grow Club in May 2021. His journey carried him through the highs and lows of gardening but he still managed to pull his family and community together with his little garden.

Since becoming a Budding Farmer, Jehvari has reaped a bounty of produce from his garden including okra, cassava, pak choi, ribena, cucumber, gungo peas.

We sat down with Jehvari, and had him share his experiences.

What do you enjoy most about the Grow Club?

I enjoy all Grow Club activities as they are fun and exciting. However my favourite part was when we did our planting. I usually plant seeds from fruits and vegetables I ate. By the way, I was the top Budding Farmer last year! (smiling)

What’s your favourite topic?

Composting was an interesting topic. I had fun learning that I don’t have to throw away any peels or waste from certain produce, and how to make my own composting bucket.

Grace Henry | Photos by Cedric Henry

What are you looking forward to the most in the next session?

I am looking forward to planting more food so that my mommy and I can cook together. Also, I am looking forward to the Grow Club being at my school.

There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments.

– Janet Kilburn Phillips

The Budding Farmers Grow Club will cover all this and so much more.

Registration for the virtual Budding Farmers Grow Club is now open! Get your children planting today.

Budding Farmers

What to plant & When.

By Joedi J.

Budding Farmers sometimes get lost in the farm store purchasing a variety of seeds without planning. Here are some crops you can plant in January and February:

January

• Beetroot

• Cabbage

• Carrot

• Cauliflower

• Celery

• Egg Plant

• Cucumber

• Escallion

• Lettuce

• Okra

• Onion

• Pumpkin

• Radish

• Hot pepper

• Sweet pepper

• String beans

• Thyme

• Tomatoes

• Turnip

• Watermelon

• Zucchini

Plant all vegetables ensuring you have adequate moisture. Apply fungicides and insecticides to protect your crops.

February

• Beetroot

• Cabbage

• Carrot

• Cauliflower

• Cantaloupe

• Celery

• Cucumber

• Escallion

• Okra

• Onion

• Pumpkin

• String beans

• Thyme

• Tomatoes

• Watermelon

• Zucchini

Plant vegetables such as cauliflower, eggplant, tomatoes, sweet corn,sweet pepper, hot pepper; always ensure your crops have adequate water, maintain your garden and look out for weeds, diseases and pests. Source (Farmer’s Almanac)

HobbyIncome!

Hearon & Sonia Spence

By Donnette Hines | Photos by Cedric Henry

The sun had barely started peeping over the mountains. In the distance, a rooster broke the silence of the morning air. The air had a crisp feel as the fog still rolled by in puffs and the grass glistened with huge drops of dew.

While the community still slept, Sonia and Hearon Spence, Budding Farmers who are well beyond their golden years, were already bustling, getting ready to start operations on their small egg farm, while the smell of coffee was already wafting through their cosy home.

Outside, the hens were already squawking loudly and each squawk announced the arrival of a freshly laid egg. Our Golden Agers knew that before long the routine tasks of feeding, harvesting and cleaning the eggs would begin all over again. The same way it has for the past 10 years that they have been operating their farm, post retirement.

Describe your farm?

Sonia: We have a few hens that lay eggs for sale. We have a root of yam, a few fruit trees and a few roots of vegetables and herbs that we eat and share with friends and family. We have a long standing philosophy, no one should visit our home and leave hungry. Even when our children were young we would always have a plant or two of vegetables, canes, bananas or dasheens.

How did you start the farm?

Hearon: We started very small. With a leap of faith, and injection of funds from our retirement package and a supporting family. We knew very little about egg farming, but we tapped into the resources of our farm store and a family friend who so graciously gave us timely insights.

How did you expand the farm?

Sonia: Thankfully we had a little space on our property. We grew the farm from 1 small coop to 4 coops. Thankfully, I already had a great relationship with my credit union, so I was able to lean on them for financial support.

As retirees, how has the farm been beneficial to you both?

Hearon: Wow! We are busier now than before retirement! The activities on the farm also keeps us physically active in our ‘golden years’.

But the biggest benefit is the peace of mind of being able to be financially independent at this stage of life.

The best part is that we have been able to minister and bless the less fortunate around us from the little we have. If it were not for the farm we would not have been able to do so.

What challenges have you faced?

Sonia: The seasonality of egg consumption poses a real challenge in finding the balance of inventory for the slow summer season vs the peak during the Christmas.

The pandemic also disrupted the market for eggs. When the hotels closed and the large farmers started to dump their products, it really put significant pressure on small farmers. We lost quite a bit of eggs due to slow sales.

Hearon: Finding workers. With so much unemployment we would have thought it would be easier to find workers. But that has not been our experience.

Budding Farmers

Hearon: Start farming sooner. Planning for retirement also means investing and securing your source of income before you retire.

Is farming something you would recommend to fellow retirees and why or why not?

Sonia: Absolutely! My husband was a mason and I was an educator. We have three children. So our retirement nest egg was very small. This farm has given us psychological freedom knowing that while it is not a lot, we don’t have to depend on our children in our old age. This is something that is so very important for retirees. I would encourage anyone to start farming today. Start small and invest what you have.

Are there any tips and tricks you have learnt along the way?

Sonia: Document everything on your farm - it is the only way to truly know what is happening especially when you are still learning how to farm your produce of choice. We document things like cracked eggs, hens that die, eggs produced daily so that we can know when to replenish our stock for instance.

Use a receipt book for everything - This is critical when you need to get financial help from the bank. We learnt the hard way when we needed to open a separate farm account but did not have the kind of documentation to prove that our farm was an actual business.

After 10 years in the business, is there anything you would have done differently?

We are busier now than before retirement!

The activities on the farm also keeps us physically active in our ‘golden years’.

Now that you are established Budding Farmers, are you ready for your second retirement?

Sonia: Absolutely! Primarily because now we have a recurring income. We are truly in a position to enjoy the rest of our days and enjoy each other.

Plus, we believe that our children and grandchildren are now in a position to continue running the operations seamlessly.

With 10 years of farming under your belt, what advice would you give to fellow Budding Farmers?

Hearon: Farming is messy, but enjoy the lessons in the mess and embrace change. When we had to take our eggs to the market for the first time, to sell to customers directly, it was a huge step to take especially from a mental standpoint. Society sometimes makes you feel like some tasks are less than others, but when you are determined to make a change for yourself and your family - embrace the discomfort now, so that you can reap the benefits later.

As if on cue, a flock of pigeons swooped in as Mr. Spence rose from our conversation to start feeding the hens, while Mrs. Spence fielded her first call from a customer ordering their weekly supply of eggs.

It was also our cue to join in on the farm duties as we became Budding Egg Farmers for the day.

Want a quick way to get more veggies in your meals? A loaded breakfast omelette is a surefire way to get this done for the whole family. The best part, it is quick and easy to do!

Omelette! Veggie

Ingredients

2 large eggs

¼ cup cooked ham, diced

1 large egg

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 cup chopped sweet onion

1/2 cup chopped broccoli/ Spinach / Callaloo

2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon parsley or a toops of your favourite herb. (My fav is rosemary)

1/4 cup diced tomatoes

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1. Whisk egg in a small bowl.

2. Heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat; add onions, spinach and ham, and cook 3-4 minutes.

3. Add eggs and cook 3-4 minutes, or until set. Add cheese and parsley/herbs. Stir, fold in half and remove from heat.

4. Top with tomatoes.

5. Enjoy with toast and or fried ripe plantains.

Telephone: 876.4347028 or 876.5364374

Start the New Year with a

Power Smoothie

Contributed by Natalie Murray- Health Coach and Director of The Life Store

Smoothie enthusiasts say that this drink has numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, weight loss, reduced inflammation, and boosted immunity. Send us photos of the smoothie you made, and a review on the taste to @buddingfarmersja

Ingredients

1 - Ripe banana

6 - large leaves of Callaloo or ( 8 - leaves of Spinach )

6 - stalks of String Beans

1 - scoop Vegan Protein Powder (Avaliable at The Life Store )

1/2 cup Almond Milk

Water and ice to achieve desire consistency

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!!!

Budding Farmers

Farming and Gardening Great Options for Seniors

By Racquel Simpson

arming and gardening remain relevant in conversations about people and planet, because of their derived benefits to food security as well as physical and environmental health.

Replanting a seed after consuming a fruit or vegetable is more than an occupational activity; it is both a responsible and generous act. Replanting helps to preserve various plants, ensures that a future meal is met and further helps to reduce the number of environmental health risks such as soil erosion and global warming.

A lot of knowledge can be passed on through farming or gardening especially when it is done as a family activity and seniors can play a pivotal role in this at only the expense of creating special bonding moments, gaining a bit of wellneeded physical fitness and saving an extra dollar on produce.

Some seniors often recount stories of their childhood to their children and grandchildren and these stories sometimes include their encounter with ‘farm-life’ be it crop or animal rearing.

With an increase in the number of young people actively pursuing agricultural careers today, these knowledgeable seniors can be extremely impactful in food security and environmental preservation efforts by sharing with these budding farmers, reliable and useful information about best practices in cultivation and harvesting.

Additionally, the associated weeding, ploughing, watering, measuring and even counting linked to both farming and gardening can provide seniors with a good amount of outdoor physical activity to keep their bodies active and their minds alert. This is especially true for seniors whose active lifestyles may have been altered by retirement. Farming and gardening are great activities to keep seniors up and about. This bit of outdoor productivity can inspire a new and relaxing hobby (especially where floral gardening is concerned) and source of income for seniors. On the other hand, farming may be the right start for the elderly to take active control over their nutritional health, as they can begin to replace a lot of expensive processed foods in their diet with more affordable healthy homegrown choices.

The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies, but never grows to the enduring happiness that the love of gardening gives.

- Gertrude Jekyll

5easy steps to start a New Lifestyle

By Donnette Hines

We know the New Year Resolution trend is still a thing. That is why we can’t help but give you an easy checklist to kick start a new lifestyle - PLANTING YOUR MENU!

1. Workout Gear . Yes, gardening gives us the chance to workout. Wear something cool, comfortable and easy to clean.

2. Podcast playlist - Listening to our favourite podcasts gives us a great vibe and gets our mind in the right place while in the garden.

3. Vegetable or fruits seeds/ seedlings

How about planting the rainbow. Remember to plan.

4. A 6’x6’ garden space or 6 1-liter water bottles - Cut open and filled with soil. It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or have a big backyard… the first step to your own garden is to plant a seed.

5. Grit and determination to get started waiting on? Let’s do this!

We are Budding Farmers and we love to watch things GROW!

Budding Farmers

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt , head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.

- Alfred Austin