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Host Training Plan

Victory Gardens for Peace, Project of Ecology Action

Name Matt Drewno Email [email protected]
    Steward(s) Selected Eliakim Kipngetich –   
Training Start Date 03/26/2023 Training End Date 11/29/2023
Steward Training Hours per Week 40  
Compensation (Stipend or Wage) Short or Educational Program Stipend (pre-arranged w/ MESA) If Yes, how much/how often? [1156]
 
Non-Monetary Compensation and Estimated Value $31,000 USD (est. Tuition, Visa & Sponsor fees, Housing, Food, Medical Insurance, RT airfare, misc.)
Name of your Workers’ Compensation Carrier None
Will your Workers’ Compensation policy cover the Steward? No, but equivalent coverage
Number of Employees at training location 3
Number of Interns/Trainees/Apprentices at training location 2-6
Annual Revenue $0 to $3 Million
 

[Phase 1]

Phase Name Hands-On Introduction
Start Date of Phase 03/26/2023 End Date of Phase 06/01/2023
Primary Supervisor during this phase Matt Drewno Supervisor Title Manager
Email [email protected] Phone Number 8474042586
 
1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase

Learning the basics of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method, settling in and beginning spring planting and classes. Trainees will participate in all aspects of the mini-farm including soil preparation, propagation, transplanting,

2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase

Familiarization with all introductory levels of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method. This phase provides the basis for deeper levels of understanding and integrating of classroom work in scientifically understanding the importance of this method of agriculture. At the end of this period, the intern should have a grasp on the physical how-to of this method.

3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications

Manager of Victory Gardens for Peace (formerly the GreenBelt Mini-Farm) for 10+years, working with past MESA stewards on the ground and in the classroom. Advanced Level Certified in GROW BIOINTENSIVE. We are a project of Ecology Action and have been a research, education and demonstration site for GB internationally since 2010. Matt has been working in organic agriculture since 2001 and has experience with permaculture, mechanized organic, biodynamics and biointensive.

4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States?

Work with students from other communities and opportunities to make friends and visit other farms on trainees free time. The Pacific North Coast is beautiful and there are many opportunities to explore the community and surrounding land.

5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase?

World Perspective; Top soil depletion, species loss, U.S. agriculture; Philosophy; Growing crops, soil, people; Individual responsibility; History; Chinese, Greek and South American traditional agriculture
French market gardeners, Bio­Dynamics, Alan Chadwick; Sustainable systems
Diet: Calories 40­Bed, 21­Bed, and 1Bed Units; Soil Preparation; Soil air, water, nutrients, structure
Double­digging: principles, tools, techniques, Surface cultivation; Seed Propagation
Transplanting vs. direct sowing, Seedlings; Fertility and Fertilization
Living soil; feed the soil, not the plants; Organic fertilizers, manure, compost; Sustainability; The closed­-system concept; Compost Principles and techniques; Compost Crops, Carbon plus calories
Demonstrations: Double­digging, fertilizing, pricking out, transplanting, Water Use and Farming Techniques for Low­Rainfall Regions; The soil as reservoir; GROW BIOINTENSIVE water use and techniques
Techniques for low­rainfall regions; Planning: Making Best Use of the Master Charts
Income; Income goals; Considerations in choice of crops; Designing Your Own One­Bed Unit; Perspective

6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus.

During this introductory phase, a curriculum complete with assigned readings and light homework is given to trainees. Readings include “The Sustainable Vegetable Garden”, “How to Grow More Vegetables” and our “Mini-Farm Farming Handbook”. Students will be assigned a simple video series to watch as homework and regular classes will be discussion based and supportive of the individual and group getting to know eachother and working well together.

7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured?

Weekly personal check-ins, working side-by-side, morning group meetings discussing the weeks activities and questions. At anytime we encourage trainees to ask questions. Supervisors are trained in GB Techniques and certified as teachers to help others develop the skillsets necessary for sustainable mini-farming.

8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional)
 

[Phase 2]

Phase Name Developing Your Biointensive Skillset
Start Date of Phase 06/01/2023 End Date of Phase 08/01/2023
Primary Supervisor during this phase Matt Drewno Supervisor Title Manager, EA Board Member
Email [email protected] Phone Number 8474042586
 
1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase

After completing phase 1, the trainee will have a basic grasp on all 8 principles of the GB Method. Weekly class dates will become more focused, centered on each principle with supporting information to compliment the daily work as the season progresses. By the end of this stage, trainees are expected to understand the importance of the GB Method from a local and global perspective and have a strong understanding of the “what, why and how” of each principle of GB agriculture.

2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase

Classes will take place 1 time per week in support of the mini-farm work. These classes are designed to give a deeper understanding of the work itself, showing the science, data, and justification for the approach. We detail its application in different soils and climates around the world, and highlight the experiences of our global network of farmers in showing how this method can be culturally adapted to meet the needs of communities around the world.
The emphasis is developing a local and global perspective to better grasp the importance of the GB Method.

3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications

Manager of Victory Gardens for Peace (formerly the GreenBelt Mini-Farm) for 10+years, working with past MESA stewards on the ground and in the classroom. Advanced Level Certified in GROW BIOINTENSIVE. We are a project of Ecology Action and have been a research, education and demonstration site for GB internationally since 2010. Matt has been working in organic agriculture since 2001 and has experience with permaculture, mechanized organic, biodynamics and biointensive.

4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States?

Work with students from other communities and opportunities to make friends and visit other farms on trainees free time. The Pacific North Coast is beautiful and there are many opportunities to explore the community and surrounding land.

5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase?

Understanding of resource use in agriculture and how different methods compare in terms of water, soil, food, energy and ecology. Each of the 8 principles of GB agriculture will be discussed in detail and comparisons will be made with other techniques and applications. We will focus on the method during this phase, introducing topics of diet design and resource use. Work in the garden will continue to be supported as depth of knowledge increases.

6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus.

Part 2: Developing Your Biointensive Skillset
Class # Date Topic Assignments
9 Intro to Ecology Action • Workshop Manual: In Defense of Old Fashioned Training, Dear Workshop Participant, WorldWide Soil Loss and Possible Solution, Ecology Action In Perspective, The Functions of Ecology Action, GB 7 Year Approach
10 Principle 1: Deep Soil Preparation • HTGMV9: Introduction and Soil Creation pgs. 1-32
• Workshop Manual: Double Digging vs. Roto-Tilling, Double Digging vs The U-Bar, Triple Digging, Cultivation, Living Quarters for Plant Roots.
11 Principle 2: Composting • HTGMV9: Composting pgs. 44-62
• One Circle: Amino Acids pgs. 34-40
12 Principle 3: Close-Plant Spacing • HTGMV9: Sustainability pgs. 33-39, Fertilization, Seed Propagation and Transplanting pgs. 63-90
• Workshop Manual: Art, Craft and Efficiency of Scale
13 Principle 4: Carbon Farming • HTGMV9: 60:30:10 pgs 39-43
• One Circle: Vitamins and Minerals pgs. 41-72
• Workshop Manual: Micro-Macronutrients
14 Principle 5: Calorie Farming • HTGMV9: Sample Garden Plans pgs. 180-190
• Booklet 26: Learning to Grow All Your Own Food pgs. 1-25
15 Principle 6: Companion Planting • HTGMV9: Companion Planting and Rotations pgs. 101-118
• 2WFC Video: Crop Rotations, Cover Crops and Multi-Cropping with Steve Moore
16 Principle 7: Seed Saving • Booklet 13: Growing to Seed pgs. 1-38
• 2WFC Video: Seed Saving and Plant Breeding with Steve Moore
17 Principle 8: Whole Systems Perspective, Planning • HTGMV9: Watering, Moons and Season Extension pgs. 86-100; Interrelated Food System and Balance pgs. 119-132
• Workshop Manual: Industrial Economy by Wendell Berry
*HTGMV9 is How to Grow More Vegetables 9th Edition. 2WFC Video refers to the 2-Week Farmers Course Vimeo Series

7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured?

Weekly personal check-ins, working side-by-side, morning group meetings discussing the weeks activities and questions. At anytime we encourage trainees to ask questions. Supervisors are trained in GB Techniques and certified as teachers to help others develop the skillsets necessary for sustainable mini-farming.

8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional)
 

[Phase 3]

Phase Name Diet Design and Planning
Start Date of Phase 08/01/2023 End Date of Phase 10/01/2023
Primary Supervisor during this phase Matt Drewno Supervisor Title Manager, EA Board Member
Email [email protected] Phone Number 8474042586
 
1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase

Continued work in the garden integrating a growing understanding of crop selection, personal nutritional needs, crop rotations, compost design, carbon farming and calorie farming. Trainees will begin developing a complete and sustainable diet design. By the end of this phase, trainees should have a solid grasp on the process of developing a sustainable and approaching a complete diet design. Basic planning skills and permaculture design will be taught.

2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase

Classes will continue to take place 1 time per week in support of the mini-farm work. These classes are designed to give a deeper understanding of the work itself, showing the science, data, and justification for the approach. We detail its application in different soils and climates around the world, and highlight the experiences of our global network of farmers in showing how this method can be culturally adapted to meet the needs of communities around the world. At this phase, trainees will develop a diet design understanding all aspects of sustainable management including nutrient cycling and composting. Several examples of successful diet designs will be explored and throughout this phase individuals will be taken through the process of designing a diet through completing forms with guided experience.

3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications

Manager of Victory Gardens for Peace (formerly the GreenBelt Mini-Farm) for 10+years, working with past MESA stewards on the ground and in the classroom. Advanced Level Certified in GROW BIOINTENSIVE. We are a project of Ecology Action and have been a research, education and demonstration site for GB internationally since 2010. Matt has been working in organic agriculture since 2001 and has experience with permaculture, mechanized organic, biodynamics and biointensive.

4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States?

Work with students from other communities and opportunities to make friends and visit other farms on trainees free time. The Pacific North Coast is beautiful and there are many opportunities to explore the community and surrounding land.

5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase?

Diet Design, crop choices as they relate to resource use, land area requirements, nutrition, and timing/rotations/planning. Special emphasis will be given towards developing ones own diet design, sharing experiences with others throughout the process and experimenting with eating and growing their dietary crops. By the end of this phase, students will be on track towards developing a complete diet design with hitting nutritional goals of calories, protein and calcium as well as ensuring sufficient compost materials are included to maintain soil fertility.

6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus.

Part 3: Diet Design and Planning
Class # Date Topic Assignments
18 Soil Fertility Simplified • Bklt 31 Form 2: Solving the Diet
• HTGMV9: Sustainability pgs. 33-43; Fertilization pgs. 63-74
• Future of Fertility Past, Present and Future and Four Goals pgs. 1-23
19 Seed Propagation, Transplanting and Practical Watering • One Circle Diet Intro, Area and Weight Efficiencies pgs. 1-33
• Bklt 35 Growing More Food With Less Water pgs. 1-25
• Bklt 31 Form 3: Preliminary Diet Design
• Future of Fertility Recycling Urine pgs. 24-35
20 Qualitatively and Quantitatively Improving Compost
• Bklt 31 Form 4: Preliminary Income Design
• Bklt 31 Form 5: Preliminary Compost Design
• Booklet 32: Growing Compost pgs. 1-35
• Workshop Manual: SOM Flow Chart
21 60/30/10, Data Collection; Design by the Heart • Bklt 31 Form 6: Initial Diet Design
• One Circle pgs. 130-144
• Bklt 1: Cucumber Bonanza pgs. 1-15
22 Exploring Sustainable Mini-Farm Design
• Bklt 31 Form 8: Income Design
• Bklt 36: Experimental 33-Bed Unit
• Workshop Manual: Challenges to the Development of the 40-Bed Unit
• Future of Fertility: Recycling Humanure pgs. 36-60
23 Pest/Disease Control; Income • Bklt 31: Form 7: Diet Design
• HTGMV9: Pest/Disease and Ecosystem pgs. 119-128
• Future of Fertility: Recycling Humanure pgs. 61-83
24 Soil Testing; Test Your Soil With Plants • Bklt 31: Form 9: Compost Design
• TYSWP: 2 pgs. 1-10, 92-130
• Future of Fertility: 2 Examples of Systems pgs. 110-117
25 Trees, Arid Farming and Applied Permaculture to GB
• Video: The Man Who Planted Hope
• Workshop Manual: Applying Permaculture in a Biointensively Mngd System, Use of Water in Agriculture, Permaculture Ethic and 12 Principles
• Put Together Final Design
26 Finalizing the Design • Bklt 31: Form 10: Complete Nutrition
*TYSWP refers to Test Your Soil With Plants, 2nd ed. Bklt refers to Booklet.

7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured?

Weekly personal check-ins, working side-by-side, morning group meetings discussing the weeks activities and questions. At anytime we encourage trainees to ask questions. Supervisors are trained in GB Techniques and certified as teachers to help others develop the skillsets necessary for sustainable mini-farming.

8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional)

Trainees will have the opportunity to take a 1 week Basic Level Teacher Certification Course during August. Completion of this course is prerequisite for teacher certification.

 

[Phase 4]

Phase Name Finalizing Design, Community-Based Food Systems and Teacher Certification
Start Date of Phase 10/01/2023 End Date of Phase 11/29/2023
Primary Supervisor during this phase Matt Drewno Supervisor Title Manager, EA Board Member
Email [email protected] Phone Number 8474042586
 
1. Describe the Trainee/Steward’s role for this phase

Trainees will continue the work in the garden, harvesting main season crops and transitioning garden into overwintering cover, compost and diet crops. There will be an emphasis on composting and soil testing. Trainees will focus their classroom time on finalizing their diet designs and understanding community based food systems and teacher certification processes.

2. Specific goals and objectives for this phase

We will introduce several different GB projects and teachers and discuss what makes a community-based food system sustainable and equitable. Students will have a complete and sustainable diet design with a 52-week mini-farm work plan by the completion of this phase. Trainees who opted to take the Teacher Training Course in August will be on track to achieve Basic Level Certification within a year of completing this course.

3. Primary Supervisor’s qualifications

Manager of Victory Gardens for Peace (formerly the GreenBelt Mini-Farm) for 10+years, working with past MESA stewards on the ground and in the classroom. Advanced Level Certified in GROW BIOINTENSIVE. We are a project of Ecology Action and have been a research, education and demonstration site for GB internationally since 2010. Matt has been working in organic agriculture since 2001 and has experience with permaculture, mechanized organic, biodynamics and biointensive.

4. What plans are in place for the Trainee/Steward to participate in cultural activities while in the United States?

Work with students from other communities and opportunities to make friends and visit other farms on trainees free time. The Pacific North Coast is beautiful and there are many opportunities to explore the community and surrounding land.

5. Specific knowledge, skills, or techniques to be learned during this phase?

Community organizing, diet and mini-farm design (including basic permaculture perspectives to aid in design), mapping and planning, finalizing and packaging design to be used for fundraising, training and implementing.

6. How specifically will this knowledge, skills, or techniques be taught? Include methodology of training and chronology/syllabus.

Part 4: Finalizing Design and Teacher Certification
Class # Date Topic Assignments
27 Certification process and Project Submission • Bklt 30: Sustainable Mini-Farm Teacher Certification Program
• Submit all forms from Bklt 31
28 Workshop Planning and Design Revisions • Resubmit Bklt 31 forms if necessary
• Submit 1-Day Workshop Outline
29 Certification Development • Resubmit Bklt 31 forms if necessary
• Submit Bklt 30: Candidate Profile, Teacher Goals and Data Reporting
30 Certification Development Continued • Submit Bklt 30: Summary Yield Data, Garden Map, Garden Plan and Garden Photos
31 Certification Development Continued
• Submit Bklt 30: Teaching Report Forms, Teaching Summary Report
32 Certification Development Continued • Compile Teacher Certification Packet and all forms, submit to Ecology Action

7. How will the Trainee/Steward’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured?

At the end of this phase, trainees will give presentations on their complete and sustainable diet design and mini-farm plan. These presentations will be open to feed back from other teachers and trainees as we celebrate the completion of the course. If funds are available students may recieve an award for their work to support their project when they return to their communities.

8. Additional Phase Remarks (optional)