A Food Forest for Peace

March 8th start date.

Many thanks to anyone who has decided to learn more about my friends in Gashora, Rwanda. As many know, Rwanda is a post-genocide nation, taking place in the 90's and still has a lingering effect today. Many women and children are still marginalized. I believe everyone has an equal right to food, water, education, shelter and safety.

Rogers is an agriculturist and has done a fantastic job supporting the development of a farm capable of supporting its community's food and water security needs. Their well impacts 4,000 lives daily, and they feed 300 children. Rogers supports the most sensitive and marginalized community members while helping them undertake future leadership development programs and school.

By fate or the universe, our paths crossed... Rogers understands that traditional agriculture has a significant environmental impact and does not support the health of people or our planet. As permaculture designer, I focus on the regeneration of people through the process of regenerating the earth.

We have discussed the application of cost-effective permaculture integration to their farm, pushing it towards a regenerative agriculture farm. The people are the stars here. To honor their achievement of coming together to support each other, Rogers and his farm team want to install a food forest, and a peace garden for their community to reflect on their achievements of coming together and supporting the well-being of one another. It is here people will honor one another, and they will be able to reconnect with each other while reconnecting to the environment.

What is Permaculture? how are you applying it?

Well, permaculture is just a process of ethically and sustainably caring for the environment and people. I plan to work closely with the community on the farm, contributing to their daily efforts. The goal is to see what everyone on the farm wants for the area. How the community perceives change happening to their home. Together we conceptualize the communities ideas and begin designing a succession plan for their food forest.

Plants/seeds

There is a developing list of plants that will be used in the undertaking of this project.

Technically a forest requires two layers Canopy layer and the root layer. Our forest will be comprised of seven layers Canopy, understory, shrubs, herbaceous plants, ground cover, root layer and vining layer. Each of the seven layers provides an opportunity for harvest and self-resilience.

Succession planting and care guide - seasonal annuals that will support the growth and development of perennials. This guide will break into the niching of each plant and its ecological role in the system. There will be clear indicators of edible or non-edible plants and the plant parts you use. It will outline pest management plans and other strategies to combat arising challenges in the system.

All unused funds will be entrusted to the farm for support and growth of the forest.