Lincoln University, One Love Learning Foundation, Round Hill Hotel host Organic Crop production seminar
AIMED AT educating local farmers and stakeholders about the benefits of organic crop production, the One Love Learning Foundation, in collaboration with Lincoln University of Missouri and the Round Hill Hotel, recently hosted an Organic Crop Production Training Programme.
Some 30 persons were in attendance for featured presentations from Lincoln University’s Dr Touria Eaton, assistant professor for horticulture and extension specialist and Dr Jaime Pinero, assistant professor for integrated pest management.
The group included local farmers and gardeners, representatives from Round Hill, Tryall Club and Half Moon, A Rock Resort, who received pertinent information on soil testing and treatment, natural and organic substitutes for fertilisers as well as organic solutions to the issue of harmful pests.
Also in attendance were teachers from the Esher and Watford Hill primary schools, where the One Love Foundation and Hanover Charities have combined efforts to implement a School Yard Garden project, allowing students to cultivate organic vegetables and herbs such as kale, arugula and basil, which they in turn sell to cus- tomers, including Round Hill.
Brenda Isaac, founder of the One Love Learning Foundation, said the seminar was part of a larger effort to promote organic farming as a viable economic activity for young people. “Our aim today is to educate local farmers about organic growth, pest control and fertilisation. There is a real future in organic farming and this is what we’re trying to promote.”
Among the topics covered during the seminar were Introduction to Sustainable/Organic Agriculture, Soil Characteristics, Health and Stewardship, Organic Pest Management (weeds, insects, diseases) and Crop Selection and Production. Dr Eaton explained how fava beans, soya beans and alfalfa sprouts, for example, could be used as cover crops to build soil profiles and reduce erosion and also shared tips on biological pest control.
Dr Albert Essel, dean of the College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences at Lincoln, said a large number of Jamaican students attend the university and have significantly raised the institution’s profile in track and field. He said in addition to imparting valuable lessons on organic crop production, the university was also pleased to give back to Jamaica for its contribution to their athletic programme.
“We have a large organic research farm at our university and One Love Foundation is facilitating this organic training, so we are here to exchange and transfer knowledge. Organic production is an emerging market in Jamaica and we are happy to be a part of it.”
Delroy Reid, gardener at Round Hill’s on-site organic garden, was among the attendees who had high praises for the session. “I have learnt a lot”, he said, “It has been very helpful. A lot of the points that were touched were very interesting and a lot of the things I already do here were talked about.”
Gardener at Island House, One Love’s guest house, Fitzroy Dawkins, also had high commendations for the programme. “I’ve learnt about the soil and various crops and also the botanical ways to treat pests. There are many things that I can go back and try; for example, using certain pests to control others.”