Experiences - Becoming a city farmer

I've always had an interest in
"growing things", but to be honest,
I've never actually dedicated myself to becoming a real gardener.

Since I started working at the Centre for Agricultural Management at the University of the Free State I soon became involved in the Centre's community service projects, especially food gardening. It didn't take me long to start growing my own veggies.

Then I heard about raising earthworms which could reduce my kitchen waste as part of reducing my carbon footprints. I read Charl's articles in Go Farming and immediately called on Charl to tell me more. Well, the result was that Charl expressed his willingness to come to Bloemfontein to present a
short course on vermicomposting.

Soon after the course I started my worm farm with the handful of worms I got from Charl. Well, today I see myself as an "emerging small-scale city farmer", operating from within the four walls of my very, very small backyard garden at our
townhouse in Bloemfontein.

A city farmer? Yes – I care for my little workers daily, I see to it that they have enough moisture, enough food, that they don't catch a cold in the cold Free State winters, that they don't burn out in the very hot summers. I even count them on a regular basis to see how big my "flock" has grown (haha!) and often spoil them by feeding them the food they like the most.

My initial interest has now become my new hobby:that of farming with earthworms, and I would like to see more people developing the habit (hobby) of recycling, reducing and re-using as much of our organic waste as possible, and at the same time restoring our soils with the use of vermicompost.

EIGSA
The Earthworm Interest Group of Southern Africa

EIGSA was formed in November 2004 to assist all those who are interested in maintaining healthy, fertile soil. Among the main objectives of EIGSA is to provide a forum for anybody with an interest in earthworms to contribute from their own experiences with earthworms, ask questions, to be put in touch with suppliers of earthworms, their by-products, etc. Articles of interest are frequently sent to all on the mailing list. Several of these have been contributed by EIGSA members, others by courtesy of magazines, news media and the Internet. Members have already conducted several seminars in various centres throughout the area EIGSA covers. Membership is free.

To join EIGSA, contact Ken Reid by email or visit www.eigsa.co.za

Download the Earthwormer Newsletter
ISSUE: Oct/Nov 2010/02

Abstract from the Earthwormer newsletter:

''Locally, we have been privileged to have Dr Danuta Plisko of the Natal Museum and Charl Pienaar, author of Goodbugs, Little Workers join our ranks. Charl, together with Dora du Plessis, saw the need for a South African handbook for all interested in working with worms. They compiled an excellent little book for all readers, which is available in hard copy form from us at the same price as David’s book. There is also an eBook version available.''