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Growing Green Expo in Kirkwood

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In its commitment to environmental awareness, the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees will be hosting the inaugural Growing Green Expo: Ethical and Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening. The expo will contain the latest practices and products of the Permaculture and Biodynamic movements.

“We have invited knowledgeable experts in these fields from the Western Cape to bring the Eastern Cape up to speed in ways to lessen our impact on the environment,” says Jennifer Honsbein, festival director.

Permaculture and Biodynamics are global environmental movements which promote natural and sustainable methods of farming and gardening. Permaculture (from permanent agriculture) is sustainable land use design based on ecological and biological principles, often using patterns that occur in nature to maximise effect and minimise work.

“It’s a way of letting nature take care of itself,” says Hazel Mugford of Wild Olive Farm near Stilbaai, which offers courses in permaculture practices.

Biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming that treats farms as unified and individual organisms, balancing the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants and animals as a self-nourishing system without external inputs. As in other forms of organic agriculture, artificial fertilizers and toxic pesticides and herbicides are strictly avoided.

At the Wildsfees, the Growing Green Expo will contain demos and displays of chicken domes, worm farms, a compost heap which heats water, and a natural vegetable patch.

Also on display will be Flowforms, inspirational sculptures which combine art and technology to bring out the regenerative movements found in naturally flowing water.

These sculptures are appealing to the eye, enhance the mood of a garden for relaxation and meditation, and oxygenate the water which enhances the health of aquatic life, vegetables, flowers and scrubs.

“So for the green fingers out there who are looking to make their gardening practices even greener and environmentally responsible, this expo will provide the answers and tools,” says Honsbein.

The Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees will be held from 1 to 3 July 2011. Entry fees for the festival on Friday and Sunday are R70 for adults and R30 for children; and R100 for adults and R50 for children on Saturday. Visit www.wildsfess.co.za for more information.

Fair warning – if you intend to stay overnight in Kirkwood at the Wildsfees you had better pick and choose from the Available Accommodation in Addo as the Kirkwood accommodation is all full.

Kirkwwod Growing Green Expo
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.