Organic Garden to Help People Return to Their Roots

With support of $53,000 from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund, Compass Pond Natural Products Inc. will develop an organic garden and nursery that will teach greenhouse gas reduction practices such as soil-building agriculture. Located in Northern Bay, Conception Bay North, the organic garden project will also develop a line of plants and byproducts such as teas, health drinks, soaps, fertilizers and medicinal tonics.

"We estimate that approximately four tonnes of greenhouse gases are created each year per person for food production and transportation, so ventures like this one are important from a sustainability perspective," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation and MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde. "Throughout the world, more and more people are transitioning to local, sustainable, organic food and medicinal plant production. This project will provide such products and help teach these practices to the people of Northern Bay and surrounding areas."

Unlike conventional soil tilling agriculture, soil building agriculture involves minimal disturbance of the soil which, in turn, limits the exposure of soil microbes to oxygen. The exposure to oxygen increases decomposition and the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. By leaving the soil microbes undisturbed, soil carbon is used and retained by plants instead. Cover plants are also cultivated and used as living mulch so that bare patches of soil are limited, thereby minimizing carbon dioxide and the escape of moisture from the soil.

"We look forward to an opportunity to demonstrate soil-building methods of organic agriculture appropriate for our province," said Stephen Hinchey, Secretary of Compass Pond Natural Products Inc. "Like the pond after which it is named, this project will serve as a compass, showing people a viable direction to help them reduce the carbon footprint of their diet."

Through the Compass Pond project, the teaching garden will highlight practical and easily implemented soil-building agricultural practices for farmers, gardeners and homeowners. Everything grown in the garden will be edible or capable of being utilized for natural soaps, fertilizers and pesticides. The goal of the project is to demonstrate how healthy soil makes for healthy humans and a healthy environment. It is anticipated that the project will also help revive the traditional practice of family and communal gardening in the province.

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2010 05 04                                     10:45 a.m.