Horticulture and agriculture


Three-field cropping: each crop or grain has its own specific soil requirements. In practice, this means that each plant extracts certain nutrients from a field. After harvesting, these nutrients are depleted and are only slowly replenished naturally – unless replenished through fertilization (compost, animal manure, or artificial fertilizer). If, for example, corn is planted on the same field for several years, the soil becomes depleted, and the harvest drastically decreases – until, after three to four years, only sparse growth is possible. In Europe, the so-called three-field cropping system has been practiced for 1000 years. This means that a different crop is planted each year (for example, corn in the first year, onions in the second, and grain in the third). At the end of each harvest, the field is fertilized with Terra Preta, compost, or animal manure by tilling it. Every fourth year, the field is left fallow and heavily fertilized. The growing foliage is worked into the soil at the end of the year using a hoe or plow. Following this method results in good harvests and increases field productivity – without the need for expensive and unhealthy artificial fertilizers. TRG 11/24


Chickens and poultry farming - systematic and profitable

(Project description)

1) Project objectives:

  • Profitable poultry farming for personal use and the local market;
  • Establishment of a poultry breeding program optimally suited to the climate and land;
  • Generation of equity capital and a sustainable income opportunity;
  • Model project for other groups; 2) Cost/benefit analysis: A distinction must be made here between keeping a few chickens for a few breakfast eggs and establishing a commercial chicken/poultry farm. We are talking here about establishing a poultry farm as a sustainable income opportunity. For this, the self-production of suitable feed is absolutely necessary. How much land do you have available to grow your own feed? You will need to grow millet, wheat, oats, corn (cracked grain), and grass in sufficient quantities for all the animals. Alternatively, some of the feed can also come from your insect collection. Purchased poultry feed does not offer a profitable alternative due to the high costs and transportation.
  • Food scraps are unsuitable as chicken feed, but can be used for insect breeding. 3) Housing for your poultry should be cost-efficient, animal-welfare-oriented, adapted to your area, and self-constructible. With a lot of capital, you can, of course, use fencing strips (5 x 5 cm) and chicken wire. But are there termites (fence post eaters) and snakes (high-performance chick eaters)? The use of adobe bricks is cost-effective and very efficient. You can easily make them yourself, up to a height of 1.8 to 2 m, and, as a rule, they "only" cost labor. They offer protection against snakes and predators, and termites prevent dry walls. A wall also prevents envious and opportunistic thieves from seeing your livelihood. You can also protect your earth wall against water by generously coating it twice a year with a 50:50 cement/water mixture. 4) Area for planting and chicken/poultry farming: You need approximately 0.25 square meters of space in the run per animal in the enclosure. For laying hens, you need a litter box of 30 x 30 cm per animal. For growing plant-based feed, you should allow approximately 5 square meters per animal – minus the yield from your insect farming. Happy hens lay many eggs. Well-fed hens grow quickly and can be sold after just 3 months! More information in the "gardening and small..." group. 5) Please prepare a project description according to the requirements (see "Documents, if applicable" in the gardening group). A good description, photo and video documentation, as well as a clear business plan are necessary to find sponsors. Don't forget to include your own capital! 6) The selection of animals should take your regional requirements into account.

  • You can, however, crossbreed with European performance breeds. 7) Project start:
  • Cultivation of sufficient feedstuffs
  • Construction of the free-range area (walled)
  • Construction of nesting boxes in the free-range area - weatherproof
  • Start of insect breeding
  • Purchase of the first chickens and roosters (one per free-range area) 8) Interim report as a comment on your project description.
  • Your sponsors want to see your progress. Even an occasional "thank you" helps. 9) Recycling saves you a lot of money and generates profit!
  • Chicken manure - fertilizer for your fields.
  • Slaughterhouse waste - food for the insects.
  • Eggshells - into the run, chickens need calcium!
  • Feathers - dispose of, but don't burn them... toxic. 10) Keep a simple income/expense ledger so you can keep track of your business's profitability. I've often mentioned insect breeding as a source of chicken feed. This is easy and inexpensive to do:
  • Find a suitable container of sufficient size and make it escape-proof with fly screen.
  • Attach a small flap for access (your hands).
  • A water dish to provide moisture...
  • Meat and/or fish scraps to attract flies to lay their eggs.
  • Initially, leave the flap open until enough flies have laid eggs. Then close it.
  • The maggots that hatch from the eggs are your high-protein chicken feed! Chickens' favorite food!
  • Don't remove all the maggots, as some need to become fledglings to lay new eggs!
  • Keep meat and fish scraps moist and replace them regularly – this is food for the maggots.
  • Of course, you can experiment and improve a lot here. The more successful your insect farming becomes, the fatter your chickens will get! You can also collect and breed herbivorous insects.

    Good luck.

    SQUARE 11/23

     

    PDF in Downloads

    Reforestation of suitable cleared areas


  • 1) Project Objectives:
  • Improvement of the local microclimate through shade, cooling, and evaporation/humidification.
  • Improvement of arable land under the protection of the trees.
  • Increased yields in nearby horticulture.
  • Creation and improvement of habitat for livestock and wildlife.
  • Improved air quality through oxygen release and dust binding.
  • Timber harvesting – trees can be used as construction timber from 8 to 10 years of age.
  • Chestnuts as food.
  • CO2 storage – the resulting livestock, if adequately protected, are long-lived and store CO2 long-term. On a sufficient area, this can be certified and used in emissions trading.
  • Water storage: the roots loosen the soil, and rainwater more easily penetrates deeper soil layers. 2) Identification of potential arable land:
  • Application for the necessary permits for public land.
  • Collaboration with rangers, village elders, etc.
  • Potentially, patronage from a well-known figure in nature conservation, politics, or sports.
  • Informing and engaging local residents in the project. Vital for the survival of the trees!
  • Creation of informational materials and display boards with pictures to inform people on-site in the forest, park, and fields. 3) Obtaining the seedlings:
  • Seeds are sent from Germany.
  • Seeds are placed individually in small containers (milk cartons, PET bottles, etc.) and allowed to germinate.
  • Grow for at least six months with sufficient watering.
  • Use good soil and compost.
  • Holes in the bottom of the containers prevent waterlogging and root rot.
  • Prepare a compost heap for later use. 4) Planting takes place at the beginning of the rainy season, approximately 5 meters apart.
  • Plant the seedling with its root ball and the soil from the container.
  • Fertilize additionally with compost.
  • Regularly monitor the new planting / drones.
  • Keep goats away!! 5) Maintenance and follow-up:
  • Regularly check the plantings.
  • Renew communication with local residents.
  • Keep goats away. 6) It is important to report on the project regularly in the media and locally. Emphasize the benefits (shade, etc.). This increases the pressure on the local population to conserve/protect the plants. 7) Plant two new trees for every tree felled. Only fell individual trees – no clear-cutting!!! 8) Since we depend on sponsors and donors for funding, good documentation and reporting – including photo and video material – is the only way to success! The logo of our NGO should appear repeatedly. Initially, the saplings should be marked (ribbon with imprint?). 9) Surveying and calculating the planted areas:
  • Always include 5m around each tree.
  • Number of trees
  • Record corner points with GPS (Lat/Longitude)
  • Calculate areas in square kilometers
  • Specify the average height of the plants (date) 10) Develop further procedures for certification. 11) Plan and define the use of the forest, starting after 8 to 10 years. Only the prospect of use will convince people to participate in the project:
  • Timber
  • Firewood
  • Use of the fruit (chestnuts) as roasted food.
  • Regulations regarding who uses the wood.
  • SQUARE 11/23

    PDF in Downloads

    Helping... made easy...

    

    Support a family in a developing country with some seeds.

     

    Many of our overseas members have great difficulty purchasing expensive seeds locally. Yet growing vegetables close to home is so important for food security. How can a solution be found?

     

    It's so easy... and everyone can help!

     

    Simply prepare a padded envelope containing packets of vegetable seeds.

    Fill it out, insert the address (provided by us), and send it by airmail. You can purchase the seeds inexpensively at garden centers, hardware stores, or even grocery stores.

     

    You could send the following seeds, for example:

    Tomatoes, beans, cabbage, garlic, cucumbers

    Carrots, onions, radishes, cabbage, zucchini

    Salad, peas, bell peppers, radishes, kitchen herbs

     

    Please note the following:

    Please send seeds only - no plants.

    Important! Please copy and translate the planting instructions into English using Google Translate. This is essential to ensure the instructions are understood, as not all plants are familiar or identifiable in the illustrations.

    Please contact us via our website for the address of a person in need.

  • Family www.webmaster@helping-hands-goev.org Subject: Family in Horticulture
  • Please write all recipient details on the envelope (name, phone number, city, country).
  • Please include a short cover letter — if you would like to be contacted, with your contact details (e.g., Facebook or WhatsApp).
  •  

    Thank you so much for your help and support!

     

    Even a small shipment, containing just a few packets of seeds, can help a family achieve a more balanced diet...


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    "Vegetables for our house"

    Project description:

    The project will, with the help of a permanent instructor from the National Helping Hands Group (preferably a long-standing member), form new local groups and, with these groups, directly support the food situation in the members' places of residence through local cultivation of fruit and vegetables, thus ensuring sustainability.

    Efforts are being made to introduce new, ecologically sound cultivation methods adapted to the location, climate, and local resources (including the use of Terra Preta and the avoidance of artificial fertilizers and herbicides). Vegetable gardens are to be established near residential buildings to produce additional food and surplus produce for trade.

    To shade the newly created, organically fertilized beds, trees (oranges, fruit trees, etc.) are also planted near the beds, thus supporting reforestation of the local area in order to influence the local microclimate sustainably and in the long term.

    Significant emphasis is placed on the exchange of experiences between existing projects (i.e., other similar local groups) and on collaboration within the groups. Neighborhood support for self-help is highly valued and given priority.


    In addition to ecological considerations, the project aims to strengthen the position and role of women in the villages and communities. Culturally, women's roles in these villages are subordinate. The anticipated surplus and its subsequent sale will provide women with an independent source of income that will benefit their families.

    The project costs are manageable, and its benefits can be maximized through local PR. Monthly costs for the project are approximately €450, which are to be covered by sponsors and donors.

    Download file How you can help us

    You can also find more information on Facebook.

    You can also find more information on Facebook.