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
Horticulture and agriculture
Chickens and poultry farming - systematic and profitable
(Project description)
1) Project objectives:
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.
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
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.
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...
"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.








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