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Note: This is our initial site which was set up quickly, early in the project. While we are updating it when we can, our energy at the moment is going into a new site. We invite you to enjoy this website as it is now, but stay tuned for the new one which will be online shortly. Please contact us by registering, if you would like to receive updates, or make enquiries.

 

Welcome to The Community Harvest Project

  • Concerned about rising living costs, community health, social isolation?

  • Want to increase supply and access of local, sustainable, healthy food for your clients/members/community?

  • Want to help the environment?

The Community Harvest Project exists to:

  • Help individuals and groups to grow or access healthy, sustainable, affordable, locally produced food.

  • Connect individuals and groups to share skills, knowledge, resources, and create a vibrant, cooperative and resilient community.

  • Help your community deal with climate change, peak oil and the rising cost of living. - more...
 
Community Harvest News - Latest PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 12:59

From the Berwick and District Journal

29/06/09

The seeds of change

29/06/2009 10:44:00 AM

What is the idea behind the community harvest?

It's an easy concept that can be achieved with even the smallest backyard or courtyard with fantastic results. It allows people not only to grow their own food but also to consider the whole cycle of food growing - their scraps can be composted, and then used to grow more food. Also, when people grow their own food, they are more likely to care about how all of their food is produced.

What are the benefits of growing fruit or vegetables at home?

There are multiple benefits:

Reduced waste through composting food scraps and garden waste and re-using on the garden.

Reduced ecological footprint as residents harvest their own produce rather than purchasing from afar.

Healthier residents from eating fresh produce and getting active in the garden.

Increased links with the community by swapping excess produce, skills, seeds and equipment with neighbours or other local residents.

Children see the link between food production and the table, and it encourages kids to eat more healthy foods.

Why should people take part in the sessions? What will they take away from the experience?

All the community harvest events are free and will include a mix of workshop and demonstration sessions with guest speakers and the opportunity to buy products such as seeds and gardening necessities. Demonstrations will include how to develop a no-dig garden and examples of the variety of compost methods available.

How did the community harvest come about?

The idea came from a successful program running in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. The community harvest there involved meetings to encourage people to work together to deal with the twin issues of peak oil and climate change in relation to food security. Here at Casey, we preferred a hands-on approach to equip people with the necessary skills to grow their own food at home. It can be cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and the food grown can be healthier and tastier than produce that has been shipped long distances.

The Casey community harvest is from 10am-4pm on:

July 11 at Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

July 18 at Pearcedale farmers market (from 9am-1pm).

July 25 at Oakgrove Community Centre.

To become involved as a stallholder at one of the sessions, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 July 2009 13:18 )
 
Community Harvest News - Latest 2 PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 13:07

From the Berwick and District Journal

29/06/09

Taste of the good life

BY DANIELLE BUTCHER

29/06/2009 10:42:00 AM

Piero and Jenny, 3, love spending time in their vegie patch.
Picture: Melissa Banks

THE Nelva family of Narre Warren don't have a long walk to the greengrocer. At their front door they have a selection of fruit, vegetables and herbs ready for the picking.

Two years ago, Piero and Claire Nelva dug up their front lawn to start the vegie patch.

"It's been a great benefit because it means when everything is in season you can walk from the kitchen to the garden and you have fresh organic produce," Piero says.

They have even noticed a difference in the way the produce tastes, Claire says.

"The garlic is so moist and there is a stronger odour than anything you'd buy from the supermarket. And the apricots off the tree are so sweet. The first time I tasted them I remember thinking that's what they're supposed to taste like."

Nothing goes to waste - the excess apricots and plums are turned into jam and tomatoes used to make sauce.

"Anything else we don't use gets given to the chickens and then that's composted and goes back onto the garden.

"So it goes from the garden to waste and back to the garden."

Piero's message is simple: "Give it a go".

"If it's a success then you get the goodness of organic produce and the kids get to see where it all comes from. I love to think that when Jenny [his daughter] says 'Let's go and get some potatoes', we go and grab a pitchfork, not a supermarket trolley.

"It makes me feel great that I'm really providing for my family in a tangible and physical way."

Piero will share his gardening experience at the free community harvest events around Casey. Details: www.casey.vic.gov.au
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 July 2009 13:17 )