Category Archives: Urban Gardening

Urban agriculture has achieved buzzword status, from the rooftops of Sydney to the tire gardens of Senegal. Every so often I am e-mailed an article on green roof technology or urban community gardens and the ever-expanding innovations people in developed … Continue reading →

The Peace Corps slogan, “The toughest job you’ll ever love,” is sometimes played upon by cynical volunteers, re-purposed as, “The toughest job you’ll never do.” This is because a lot of our work is simply trying to find sustainable work, often in vain. That’s why I’m happy about the Health Garden. At least for now. Continue reading →

Once upon a time, I conducted a Permagarden training at the Kolda demonstration garden. With much care, revision, and help from the rainy season, it has blossomed (see below). Things I learned from the experience: Don’t be disappointed if locals … Continue reading →

Yesterday: helped a women’s group plant beans in their field. Seed saving is key! They saved some beans from last year, which we planted. I hope they are successful. Afterward, I got caught in a torrential rainstorm. Rain biking is … Continue reading →

Recently I hosted my first training, in Permagardening. Permagardening, a derivative of Permaculture, is a technique designed for individual household gardens that integrates water-saving methods, companion planting, and organic soil fertility practices to mimic a a self-sustaining ecosystem within one’s … Continue reading →

The other day I met up with one of my counterparts, Mamadou Seck, and together, along with his daughter Nafi, we made a hydroponic table to propagate mint. A hydroponic table is simply a flat container of water with styrofoam … Continue reading →

It’s a common question I get, so I thought I would address the topic of my work situation here. Essentially, I am a free agent within the city of Kolda to promote urban agriculture. I do not have a boss … Continue reading →