The GSC Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program offers participants opportunities to learn about and teach organic farming methods and increase food security for rural Tanzanian communities, especially those families affected by HIV/AIDS. GSC promotes biointensive agriculture (BIA), a specialized form of organic agriculture involving the use of double-dug beds, locally available crops, organic compost materials, crop diversification, intensive planting, and water harvesting. Biointensive agriculture is a much more viable option for most rural Tanzanians than is chemical based farming, which requires expensive chemicals and fertilizers and is not sustainable.
Participants first learn about and educate Tanzanian community members in BIA small-scale farming techniques. Participants and community members then work together to create sustainable small-scale farming plots in the Arusha region. In addition to providing community trainings, other activities include working in the demonstration plot GSC maintains at a local agricultural college, assessing group capabilities and preparing those requesting our trainings, and providing follow-up support to groups previously trained by GSC.
The sustainable agriculture program works parallel to the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program to educate HIV positive people, their families and orphans about organic small-scale farming. This type of farming creates not only immune system-building produce but also can provide income to benefit members of the community. Participants also learn about and share information about nutrition that is vital to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Additionally, participants may be involved in constructing and distributing sack gardens to people living with HIV/AIDS.
This program is especially suitable for those interested in agriculture and food security, environmental studies, natural resources, ecology, international development, public health or related fields. Prior agricultural experience is not required; simply a desire to give something back to the community in which you'll be living. Also necessary is a willingness to work outdoors and have dirty knees!
