Organic Farm

Introduction

Some food facts related to Hong Kong:

• Each kilogram of strawberries imported from New Zealand to Hong Kong produces 4.5 kg of CO2 emissions from the airfreight alone.

• Hong Kong's existing landfill sites are nearly full.

• Nearly all of the tons of food waste generated each day end up being landfilled where they generate tons of methane, a gas that causes a Greenhouse Effect 21 times worse than CO2.

• Farming is a major source of river and ground water pollution that ultimately damages the marine habitat by encouraging excess plant growth (often called 'red tides').

• Fresh strawberries have been found to be very effective at reducing the incidence of certain kinds of cancer

Many local and international schools have now joined our Organic Farm Programme as they understand its value.  In the programme, they help the farmer on the farm and by taking produce at wholesale prices.  In return the schools can fully participate in a practical, flexible and educational project with no up-front costs.  The project is ultimately self-sustaining and we hope to expand it as more schools join.  Mini projects that we plan to bring on-stream include: a new type of hygienic composting, scientific water and soil testing, the use of technology to control irrigation and water saving and renewable energy generation.

Invitation for schools to join

Teng Hoi has recently started to collaborate with an organic farm near Sheung Shui.  The farm is receiving the technical assistance and support of  AFCD, the government department responsible for organic accreditation.  As far as we are aware, this is the first time that an organic farm has been set up in collaboration with a farmer and with education principles at its core rather than farming principles.  In particular, this means that schools can organize small groups of students to undertake project work and fully participate at the farm so that the students can gain direct experience of organic agriculture, water conservation and energy efficiency.  Students could also be involved in providing composting material from school kitchens (and perhaps their homes).  At the same time, the farm will provide the necessary logistical support and expertise to manage the crop on a day to day basis: the school therefore does not require a constant presence at the farm.  When the project is more established we will facilitate schools to undertake education projects at the farm: for example, installation of renewable energy generators at the farm, i.e. windmills and perhaps solar energy systems.  In return for free access to the farm, the schools should agree to buy the organic strawberries and other produce at wholesale and sell them at retail.  The revenues raised will be donated to various charities of the school's choosing.

We believe that the project offers a real example of Education for Sustainable Development as defined by UNESCO and supported by UNEP.  The project is truly self-sustaining, rather than self-limiting.  Students may be involved at all levels, from composting, production and ultimately marketing of the crop.  Visible benefits that the students see at first hand are: composting of school food waste thus reducing landfill waste; growing a food crop including irrigation, weeding and picking; minimizing packing waste and excessive product transportation; healthy eating; fair trade and fund raising for charity.  We will be encouraging schools to take advantage of the potential of the farm for other related project work.

In our pilot scheme we are looking for schools that are firmly committed to the ideals of the programme.  The selection of the schools is very important to us as we wish to ensure that the programme takes off properly.  The project is open to primary and secondary schools.

Make a Donation!

We firmly believe that our Organic Farm Programme must be self-sustaining so that the farmer has the economic incentive to continue.  If you believe that our programme is a step in the right direction, however, then we welcome sponsorship so that Teng Hoi can expand the programme more rapidly.  Contact us if you can help in this way.