What difference can a Permaculture Starter Pack make to a school food security programme?
Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) is perfectly placed to answer these and other questions about food security programmes. We have been at the forefront of implementing permaculture projects in South Africa for 30 years.
Structure of a PSP
We structure all our food security projects around permaculture and other ecologically-conscious sustainable agriculture design principles. FTFA will always advise donors, sponsors, and other interested parties to start any school intervention with a programme based on a Permaculture Starter Pack (PSP).
PSPs are one of our entry-level programmes. They offer a quick and easy way to set up a food garden project, while assessing the commitment and capacity of the applicant or beneficiary.
A PSP is a structured six-month programme for establishing or improving a school food garden. Applicants have three months from delivery to prove their commitment and demonstrate tangible outcomes.
Depending on the available funding, our three levels of PSP offer varying amounts of inputs (gardening tools, seeds, seedlings, and compost), infrastructure, and knowledge-building, in the form of educational materials and introductory workshops.
Functions and Opportunities of a PSP
A PSP functions as an excellent assessment tool. There are clearly designated goalposts at all stages of the six-month programme. This makes it easy to report on beneficiary buy-in and project successes or shortcomings.
The typical implementation of a PSP involves a structured intervention covering several basic stages over six months. These provide the foundations for beneficiaries to take ownership of their own long-term, sustainable food security project.
The PSP creates the opportunity to design and establish the project. It is then up to the beneficiary to use the knowledge and tools provided by donors through FTFA to grow and maintain their food garden independently.
Educators learn about various aspects of permaculture during the PSP training period. They can then use our educational materials to integrate their newfound knowledge into the school’s curriculum. Booklets, flyers, and posters help to spread the message to pupils and community members.
Donate now if you are interested in getting involved in our campaign to bring food security to schools and communities across South Africa, or contact us for more information about different PSP applicants and funding options through Food & Trees for Africa.
