Growing the harvest Festival

WHY LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION?

The expression FOOD MILES is one which is being heard more and more as we consider the implications of global warming.

A FOOD MILE by its simplest definition is a measure of the distance a food travels from “farm to fork”. The more FOOD MILES a food travels, the greater the implications there are for global warming. While it is an easy comparative measure, recent studies suggest that this definition can be improved. More on Food Miles.

Where DOES LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION fit in to the overall MASG strategy?

Local food production:

* Reduces CO2 emissions by minimising the distance over which food is transported.
* Reduces the amount of energy needed for the processing, packaging and storage of food.
* Increases the efficiency of water used in food production.

And as well:

* Means we are more self reliant.
* Means we have seasonal variety in our food – food eaten ‘in season’ is at its peak of nutrition and flavour.
* Means we have control over what chemicals are used in our food production.
* Fosters a sense of ‘community’.

The Mount Alexander Sustainability Group has its office in the beautiful old 2 storey ‘pub’ on the corner of Barker Street and Templeton Street Castlemaine, and we have access to the extensive rear garden. A CONCEPT PLAN has been drawn up for Projects 1 – 3 and can be viewed in the MASG window – 233 Barker Street, Castlemaine.

PROJECT 1
Demonstrations/displays took place at the MASG garden for the Castlemaine Garden Festival (November 3rd to November 11th 2007). A demonstration “backyard” garden at the north end of the garden is underdevelopment. This provides an ideal semi-enclosed (sun trap) setting and will be the best way to show what can be achieved in an ordinary suburban garden – that is to keep it ‘small scale’.

Work now underway or completed:

* Removal of some trees, overgrown vegetation and tree pruning
* Provision of sustainable water supply to the area
* Construction of two ‘raised’ rectangular garden beds and reconfiguration of some of the brick paving
* Establishing an area to demonstrate ‘container’ growing
* Demonstration of different examples of watering systems
* Planting of seasonal vegetables in rectangular beds and containers
* Planting of perennial herbs
* Construction of small hothouse
* Demonstration of seed raising and other associated plant propagation techniques
* Repair of pergola
* Possible inclusion of chooks.

Some of these may become part of a permanent display:
* Demonstration of different methods of mulching
* Demonstration of different techniques for compost making
* Displays of different types of commercial compost bins – bokhashi bin, aerobin, compost tumbler bins etc
* Displays of different types of worm farms
* Displays of different types of water tanks and attached fittings
* Information about different techniques for grey water recycling
* Information about sources of seeds and propagation equipment

PROJECT 2 – Establishment of a ‘food forest’ at 233 Barker Street

… focussing on showing how productive a small area can be with a few well chosen and well maintained fruit trees and will involve:

* Provision of water to the area
* Selection of suitable dwarf root-stock trees
* Selection of early, middle and late maturing varieties
* Selection of pollination compatible trees
* Selection of multi-graft fruit trees
* Demonstration of different tree specific watering techniques
* Demonstration of different mulching materials and techniques
* Demonstration of different pruning methods used to shape trees, especially techniques for espaliering
* Demonstration of techniques for protecting fruit from birds!
* Under canopy companion planting for pest and disease control

This is a longer term project.

PROJECT 3 – Further garden development at 233 Barker Street

The focus of this stage would be to build on the amenity of the remainder of the back garden at 233; to make it a pleasant space for outdoor meetings and social gatherings during the warmer months.

This would involve:

* Shade tree maintenance
* Refurbishing and replanting garden beds
* Establishment of brick paved ‘sitting’ areas
* Provision of outdoor furniture
* Construction of wood-fired BBQ/pizza oven
* Refurbishing the sheds to be a safe place for bike parking/storage

Projects 2 and 3 are not dependent on any other projects (except perhaps the provision of water) and so could be undertaken at any time, provided there is sufficient volunteer interest.

Other Project Possibilities

* Working with our volunteers, we may be able to assist members of the community establish community gardens, and/or their own gardens by doing some of the ‘hard work’ for them.

* Practical sessions on techniques for plant propagation and seed saving..
* Production of seedlings for sale or to give away
* Practical sessions in dealing with surplus production – making sauces, chutneys, jams, pesto, bottling, drying etc.
* Given the commercial kitchen facilities at 233, hold a once monthly 100 km dinner on a Saturday evening highlighting local seasonal food (and wines!). This would raise MASG’s profile, the profile of Local Food Production and the reasons for it. It may even be a fundraiser!

WHAT CAN I DO?

You can be involved in a number of ways:

* Physically:

Volunteer some of your time and talents to help us make these projects a reality. If you haven’t been involved so far, we would like you to think about doing so now.

Let us know if you would like to help by volunteering your labour and your smiling face.

Let us know if you have any specific skills and/or equipment:

Can you lay paving bricks?

Can you grow seedlings?

Do you have a truck or large trailer?

Do you have a cement mixer?

Please contact:

Peter Sansom bundara@netcon.net.au or Phone 5474 2403 or alternatively the MASG office Phone: 5470 6978

* Materially:

If you are not already a member of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) – join now. You don’t have to be a resident of Mount Alexander Shire to be a supporter.

If your MASG membership has lapsed – renew now.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group Public Fund indicating that your donation is specifically for Local Food Production.

Watch out in the weekly eNews for announcements about working bees or other ways by which you might be able to help us