Wikipedia Definition -
Organopónicos are a system of urban organic gardens in Cuba. They often consist of low-level concrete walls filled with organic matter and soil, often with lines of drip irrigation laid on the surface of the growing media. Organopónicos provide access to job opportunities, a fresh food supply to the community, neighbourhood improvement and beautification of urban areas.
Organopónicos first arose as a community response to lack of food security after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The chemical fertilizers were no longer available and the Country was forced to adopt an organic approach.
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We say "Grow food as though your life depended upon it".
We have taken the principle of an easy build, long life raised bed set up of growing that is defined by Organoponico's and enhanced the system to operate in organic harmony with elements of Biodynamics in combination with use of beneficial micro-organisms and biochar (all purely organic and natural). We are firm believers in soil re-mineralization and promote the use of Rock Dusts to re-balance soils with dramatic results.
In short we have fine tuned a method of Organic Growing that can be utilized in virtually any environment or situation for high yield, high quality, zero waste vegetable food production.
Perfect for Community food projects, Schools and Hospitals. Our systems can be easily integrated into the Home Farm or Public Space. Companies can benefit by starting a worker led system on any small area of land. Care Homes and Hospices benefit hugely from our Systems. People with disabilities and those in wheel chairs find the system especially practical to use.
We will offer our experience freely to help individuals set up, please email us for further information. If you wish to join OrganoponicoUK and set up an urban hub in your area we will provide you with advice and help. It is our passion to see greater urban food production in the UK.
We are also looking to partner local councils in the UK to encourage and promote community based Organoponico+ projects.
Organoponico = an Organic Green Revolution...............Join It!
Organoponico = Real Food Security achieved by communities for communities.
Please note that this website does not have any political affiliations. Our aim is a simple one. To further social cohesion through community gardening projects, thereby enhancing the lives of those in the community by enabling the community to provide some of its own food. To this end organoponico uk remains apolitical.
In these days of economic strife and dramatic world wide change it really is time for us all to take some of our food production into our own hands.
We use only heirloom seeds in our systems and encourage gardeners to save their own seeds from heirloom varieties.
"Feed the Soil, not the plant" is the guiding philosophy behind our growing methods. By building an organically rich soil with high microbial content and balanced mineral structure we can benefit from a growing medium that itself flourishes and builds in potency over time.
All locations either urban or rural in any country have their own unique properties. The properties of any site are the foremost consideration at the planning stage of any project.
We believe that best practice and motivation for any organoponico project is to aim to "switch on" or activate the site in order to help the land achieve its own balanced organic potential. Damaged urban sites are approached with the same attitude, though naturally they often require more intensive initial work.
Organoponico's bring out the best in people, make bonds between young and old and can be instrumental in many positive changes within a community, workplace or public place. Community agriculture is in our very bones, it pre-dates history yet it eludes most people in our modern life. To involve yourself in some degree of food growing is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. Make 2010 your year for getting involved. Help yourself and your community.
"From one small seed a mighty oak doth grow."
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Visit the Growforit project in Nottingham that we have just started, it is the first Urban Hub in the UK. We have no funding from anywhere but use our passion to succeed to enhance the project week by week. A good Urban Hub will be self perpetuating. Soon Urban Hubs will be popping up all around the country...watch this space!
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Take a look below to see some photographs of a rural "Organoponico" in Ireland that we have been developing. Our experimental and research work into growing systems takes place there. The principles are very similar for urban settings.
The pictures show the construction and early layout phase of the raised bed system that forms the central heart of this organoponico. Further information on this project will be posted throughout 2010 and visits can be arranged for interested parties, again please contact for details.
Large polytunnel and greenhouses support the project. All components work in unison to result in an organic food production system that is capable of high quality, high yield production from a minimal space. Later we'll show you how these systems are multi-functional allowing extended growing seasons and maximum use of all components that make up the organoponico.
Below you will see examples of the original organoponico's in Cuba that flourish today providing good locally grown food for the community in the community.
A big thank you to the folks at www.tomatoseedsuk.co.uk for donating some of their wonderful "hundreds and thousands" seeds to a recent project.
