Last Sunday, May 9th, despite the cold and slightly rainy weather, we had a fantastic turnout for our grow bed workshop at the CERRI geodesic dome. Led by Jason Stevens, our Environmental Sustainability Specialist, and assisted by Charles Danis, our summer agriculture intern, we welcomed about 20 enthusiastic participants, including some children, who were eager to learn and get their hands dirty.
Workshop Highlights
Inside the dome, the temperature was perfect for our activities. We started the workshop by discussing the importance of proper bed drainage. Jason explained how to layer the beds with different materials to ensure a healthy growing environment. Here’s a quick overview of what we learned:
Bed Drainage: Ensuring that the beds have adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
Woody Material Layer: Using decomposable woody material at the bottom of the beds to create a sturdy base and enhance soil structure over time.
Organic Fertilizer Ratios: The importance of balancing organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients to plants.
Compost Ratio: How to mix compost effectively to enrich the soil with organic matter.
Nitrogen-Rich Mulch: Using mulch that is rich in nitrogen to promote healthy plant growth.
Special Topics
We also jumped into the fascinating world of mycology. Jason discussed the benefits of growing a mycelium network both inside and outside the dome. This network helps build healthy soil by breaking down organic matter and facilitating nutrient exchange between plants.
Community Contributions
A special thank you goes out to Ilana Kunelius for her generous contribution of local Raspberry plants and for taking some great pictures. These plants will be a wonderful addition to our outdoor garden area, enhancing the biodiversity and providing delicious fruit for our community.
Support from the Elder's Camp
We are also grateful for the ongoing support from the Elder's Camp, who provided us with mulch for this workshop. Their wood chips are essential for our grow beds and will also play a crucial role in our composting initiatives to come. Their contributions help us create a more sustainable and productive agricultural system.
Hands-On Experience
Participants had the opportunity to apply what they learned by helping fill the grow beds with the various layers. Despite the chilly weather outside, the warmth and collaborative spirit inside the dome made the workshop a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Looking Forward
We are thrilled with the community’s engagement and look forward to more workshops where we can continue to learn and grow together. Stay tuned for our next event and join us in making Chisasibi a model of sustainable agriculture.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this workshop a success!
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