WWOOFER in Grassroot Farm义工杂记

We are grateful to welcome 3 volunteer last Saturday, which 2 ladies, Veronica and Fanny, come from Sweden a guy, Binra,  from Thailand. Veronica and Fanny traveling around India, Indonesia and Malaysia before they going to enter University, they said, most of Swedish peoples travel before they go to university, to see the world, and to help them find theirself. Binra is a Philosophy students from Chulalongkorn University.

They are good helper in our farm as they help us to weed a lots and help in the routine of farm. We probably need 2 hour to clean a vege path full of weeds, but with their help, we do it 2 path in around 1.5 hours. Besides, they also help us clean the paper for recycle, clean the house etc. Some of the task, we just think to do it, but we’re lack of time and manpower, and they do some of it for us. They are quite good volunteer as they can work in the condition of maybe that not comfortable for the educated peoples. They works under the hot sun, bites by mosquito, lumpy soil etc, but i see they enjoying that and hopefully they’re enjoying it.

Having volunteer in our farm also give us change to know more about others country, their culture, their experience etc. We share a lots during their time in farm, foods, knowledges, experiences, languages etc. We have a great time knowing each others. Binra also helps us in communicate with our Burmese worker as our Burmese worker know Thai language and Binra become translator for us.

Veronica and Fanny left the farm yesterday and Binra will be going back to Bangkok next weeks. By the way, i hope they are enjoying the time in Grassroot farm and wish they could have a better life in the future.

 

Anybody who interest in farming — PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF BIODYNAMIC FARMING METHOD自然农耕法实践课程

Biodynamic agriculture is an enhanced organic farming method that was introduced by Rudolph Steiner in 1924. It was introduced as a method to counter soil degradation, poor plant and animal health and other farming problems that had occurred since the introduction of artificial fertilisers and farm chemicals.

In Australia, in the early 1950’s, Alex Podolinsky set about making the method a practical system, suitable for all areas of agricultural and horticultural production. In the early 1960’s he founded the Biodynamic Agricultural Association of Australia (BDAAA), which today, by landmass, is the largest natural farming body on earth. The method developed in known worldwide as the Australian Demeter Biodynamic method and has been adopted by farmers from many countries.

For more information visit www.demeter.org.au

A seminar on the Australian Demeter Biodynamic method of agriculture will be held on 4^th and 5^th June 2011, at  Terra Organic Farm, Lojing Highlands (Near Cameron Highlands)

The speaker, Darren Aitken, has had 15 years experience in biodynamic agriculture and has a 6 acre Demeter certified market garden. He has taught farmers from Australia, Greece, Italy and Germany the practical biodynamic skills and methods needed to convert their farms to biodynamic production.

Topics covered will include -      Plant feeding within nature

-          Soil cultivation, to improve soil structure

-          Soil humus formation and microbial activity

-          Biodynamic plant expression

-          Using Biodynamic preparation 500

-          Prepared 500 (Podolinsky introduced- 500 plus 502-507)

-          Using Biodynamic preparation 501

-          Stirring and applying the Biodynamic preparation

-          Preparing the soil to receive the B.D. preparations at the most beneficial time.

-          Building a Biodynamic compost heap and using compost preparations 502-507

-          Sheet composting and green manures

-          Using the Biodynamic Astrological sowing chart.

Practical demonstrations of stirring preparations and building a compost heap will also be held and those that are attending are encouraged to participate.

Quality Australian made biodynamic preparations will also be displayed.

*Note: The course will be conducted in English with on spot Chinese translation.

Fee: RM250 inclusive of 5 meals (organic food) prepared in Terra Organic Farm.

Accomodation:

Terra Organic Farm Stay – RM50 /person       http://www.terrafarm.com.my/

Moon River Lodge – RM80 /person                 http://moonriverlodge.wordpress.com/

Kindly contact:

Ng Tien Khuan    email:      ngtienkhuan@gmail.com   hp:    +6014-3385639

Ho Woon Sing     email:      lvdawn1014@gmail.com   hp:    +6012-2192582

KS Tan                email:       kstan826@yahoo.com       HP:    +6 05-8067448

Time Table:

Jun 4, 2011
8:30am-10:15am	BD course-Darren
10:15am-10:30am	Break
10:30am-12:30pm	BD course-Darren
12:30pm-1:30pm	Lunch
1:30pm-3:15pm	BD course-Darren
3:15pm-3:30pm	Break
3:30pm-5:30pm	Building a Biodynamic compost heap
	and using compost preparations 502-507－Darren
5:30pm-6:30pm	Dinner
Jun 5, 2011
6:30am-8:00am	Using BD Preparation 501-Darren
8:00am-9:00am	Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am	BD course-Darren
10:30am-10:45am	Break
10:45am-12:30pm	Lunch
1:30pm-3:15pm	BD course-Darren
3:15pm-3:30pm	Break
3:30pm-5:30pm	BD course-Darren
5:30pm-6:00pm	Using BD Preparation 500-Darren
6:00pm-7.00pm	Dinner

Pls Fill and Email the form to: lvdawn1014@gmail.com  before 30 May 2011

 

Speakless Right Before the harvest day见证毛毛虫的威力

My red amaranth was attacked by pest right a day before harvesting day, poor! People usually said amaranth is very easy to grow, but the fact is, it not really that easy. It get attack by pest also when there is nothing for the caterpillar to eat, sometime hot sun after the rain also make it die easily, sometime they dont want to grow up even their due date is expired……….really not easy

人说苋菜容易种，没什么虫要吃，但在收成的前一天，草根园的鲜菜竟然一夜被吃光。苋菜也没传说中的那么容易种，当没其他东西吃时，再加上土质环境还没达到理想状况，害虫连苋菜都会吃。雨天后的放晴/晒，也时常让苋菜一睡不起，有时候即使到了截止日期，它都不肯长大。。。。。20多天的心血，就要收成了，却被逼慈悲地捐给虫吃，无语。。。

 

This plant called silver beet, is native probably to  Australia, and some say there was also found in New Zealand. Silver beet was said to be the 10 easier plant to grow in some book, but in my place, its end up eating by pest, not even left a piece of leaf.

 

Healthy in a Box Vegetable package 一盒健康蔬果盒配套

The type of low land vegetables includes of red amaranth(bayam), green amaranth, mustard (sawi), flower mustard, HK mustard, kangkung, sweet potato leaf, radish, long bean, wing bean, radish, petola etc. Highland vegetables consists of broccoli, cauliflower, spinach etc.Organic farmer works closely with natural without using chemicals, so we do heavily depend on the organic farming technique and also the weather, surrounding air condition etc. Many factor makes the quantity of the product not as stable as the conventional farm. So, vegetable that available different every weeks depend on what can the farm produce on the specific weeks.

Fruits that regular include in the box is banana, others than that, we will include others fruits depend on the availability eg: star fruits, jack fruits (nangka), longan, jambu air, durian, cempedak, rambutan etc. Mostly the tropical fruits have its season, eg durian on June-July, longan/jambu air/guava etc twice or three times per year etc.

The box is a healthy source for the family, it is also a strong moral and financial support for the organic farmer. We’re very grateful for your support. For more information, please contact Meishy at 0125536898/www.grassrootmemo.wordpress.com/Grassroot Organic (facebook).

 

Traning on Natural Farming

The traning was going well, although i thought the turnout will be very poor, as there is heavy rain in the beginning on the events. Fortunately, the rain stop half way and the farmers come. The participants is mot a big amount, just 7 peoples, but its not bad can at least an organic farmer and 2 chemical farmers come. We try on farmer em, lime eggs solution, vermiwash etc. Thanks also for the Consumer Association Penang (CAP) members that come to give the training.

 

 

Training on Natural Farming 自然农耕法培训

来临的星期六26/03/2011，9am-12pm，于草根有机蔬果园，将会有个自然农耕法培训，培训单位为槟城消费人协会。此培训会教大家自制堆肥、自然杀虫剂、自然植物催生剂等等。有兴趣者请联络梅诗0125536898.

We’ll have a training on natural farming on coming Saturday 26/03/2011, 9am till 12pm, in Grassroot Organic Farm. This training will be lead by Consumer Association Penang (CAP) and they will teach us to do compost, natural pest repellent, natural growth promoter etc. Those interest in it can kindly register with me –Meishy 0125536898.

 

没鸡的日子Days Without KFC/McD

没有KFC/McD的日子会是怎样的？刚刚翻看了以前一些照片，发现了一些自己或友人吃鸡的照片，的确，当时吃鸡是很开心很快乐的，就如广告版所呈现的，不管有千愁万虑，吃一吃鸡，什么愁都被抛到九云霄外。
屈指一数，将近两年没有吃鸡了，应该是自从务农后。不吃鸡，一是因为吃那鸡除了伤天害理还会害自己的身子，二是因为一的原因已不太有那欲望了，三是因为即使有欲望也被自己的毅力压了下去，四是因为吃鸡对穷农人可能是奢侈品。
没有那鸡的日子，其实并不难过，看到广告顶多只会暗想广告真是厉害，可以牵动人的心理，他们搞市场行销真是一流。总之没有那鸡的日子并不难过。

 

草根同仁向大家恭贺新禧 Chinese New Year Wishes From Grassroot Organic Team

草根同仁在此向大家恭贺新禧，希望在辛卯年大家新春快乐、吉祥如意、事事顺利、财源滚滚来。。。。

Grassroot Organic wish you have a prosperity and happy Chinese New Year in “Rabbit Year”.

此外，草根有机园即将于2月6日（农历初四）下午6时至晚上10时30分在浮罗山背巴刹展出浮罗风土人情介绍，并介绍本园。此节目为州政府的官方大团拜 — “官民同庆辛卯兔年新春大团拜”。当天节目丰富，设有3个舞台包括大舞台、歌舞剧场舞台及民间艺坊舞台，节目有中国山东省杂技表演、双人变脸、夜上海歌舞及中国北京儿童杂技团表演等等，同时也设有简单餐点。

In the meantime, Grassroot Organic will have a exhibition on Balik Pulau as well as Grassroot Farm in 6th Feb 2011 at Balik Pulau new market. The events is organize by Penang Goverment as it official open house. Many programme was prepared on that day, free food and drink was prepared by the organiser as well. All was welcomed to the events.

 

13rd Dec List

Fruits

Banana (Awak, Tali, Emas), Ambra, Nutmeg, Nangka/Jackfruits

香蕉（Awak,Tali，小金蕉）， Ambra, 荳蔻, 菠蘿蜜

Vegetables

Long Bean, Okra, Sweet potato leaf, Tapioca 長豆，羊角豆，番薯葉，木薯

Herbs/Spices

Lemongrass, Galanga (Lengkuas), Chilly Paddy, Thai Basil, Sweet Basil, Mint，kaffir lime leaves，Kantan Flower (Laksa flower), Pandan Leaf, Resella

香茅，南姜，指天椒，泰國九層塔，甜九層塔，薄荷，痲瘋柑葉，薑花，班兰葉，洛神

Poultry

Kampung Chicken’s eggs, Turkey’s eggs, Kampung Chicken, Turkey

甘榜雞蛋，火雞蛋，甘榜雞，火雞

Product

Nutmeg Concentrate 濃縮荳蔻汁

Please take your order by 9.30am of 13rd Dec. For order, please call/sms Meishy 0125536898 or WaiChip 0134647464

 

6th Dec List

Fruits

Banana (Awak, Tali, Emas), Ambra, Nutmeg, Star Fruits

香蕉（Awak,Tali，小金蕉）， Ambra, 荳蔻, 楊桃

Vegetables

Long Bean, Okra, Sweet potato leaf, Tapioca 長豆，羊角豆，番薯葉，木薯

Herbs/Spices

Lemongrass, Galanga (Lengkuas), Chilly Paddy, Thai Basil, Sweet Basil, Mint，kaffir lime leaves，Kantan Flower (Laksa flower), Pandan Leaf, Resella

香茅，南姜，指天椒，泰國九層塔，甜九層塔，薄荷，痲瘋柑葉，薑花，班兰葉，洛神

Poultry

Kampung Chicken’s eggs, Turkey’s eggs, Kampung Chicken, Turkey

甘榜雞蛋，火雞蛋，甘榜雞，火雞

Product

Nutmeg Concentrate 濃縮荳蔻汁

Please take your order by 9.30am of 6th Dec. For order, please call/sms Meishy 0125536898 or WaiChip 0134647464