CHILDREN – FARMING GOD’S WAY

This last week for three days I had the joy of teaching children at Grace Learning Centre, Masaka District (Grades 1 to 5) about Farming God’s Way.  The school was started by Judith Nambi Mugisha, a former nursery and primary teacher at Kibaale Community Centre in Rakai District.

The children  were very eager to learn about this new method of farming (new to them at least – Farming God’s Way has been around for about 28 years in Africa).

 

After sharing with them a few biblical principles that apply to farming but also life in general we gathered behind their school building to layout their school garden. 
This garden is situated well in the community and Judith hopes this garden will bring hope to many of the families in the area who live in poverty.  As a pilot project, we hope to follow up in future years with more training involving community members.

After laying out the garden, teachers and students began digging holes.  In Uganda, when families prepare a garden, the entire area is tilled.  So laying out terran ropes that define areas to plant was new to everyone there.  Simple technology, but very effective.

 

We began by digging holes for maize – a staple crop in this area.  The food grown on this small plot will help to feed these same children who are doing the planting.

Two thirds of the garden is planted with maize, and one third with beans.  Here students are digging out channels for maize to be planted.

The holing out is almost complete.

The children were very faithful and did not want to quit digging.

Once holing out was complete the children learned how to apply fertilizers – in this case NPK was applied – a fertilizer readily available in many farm shops in the area.

 

After fertilizing and covering with soil, 3 seeds of maize were planted in each hole.

Upon placing the seed carefully across the hole, the holes were covered with soil.

Several rows of beans were then planted.

Once the seeds were covered with soil, “God’s blanket” was put on top of the garden.  This is a key element in FGW.  Mulch material is abundantly available in Uganda, but few farmers put it on their vegetable gardens. 

 

The blanket is essential for preventing soil runoff, retaining moisture and having a cooling effect on the soil (very helpful in 30 degree temperatures throughout the year).  It also helps prevent weeds from growing and adds organic material to the soil.

This has been a great opportunity to teach a new generation how to honor God with their gardens and effectively feed their families.  We now pray for an abundant harvest.  Well done kids!!!!!!!!!!!!