|
Commenced:
|
01/03/2011 |
|---|---|
|
Submitted:
|
24/10/2014 |
|
Last updated:
|
08/11/2017 |
|
Location:
|
19 Russell Street, Toronto , ON, CA |
|
Website:
|
https://campusagriculture.wordpress.com/ |
|
Climate zone:
|
Cold Temperate |
The Anthropology Greenhouse is used to grow food on a small scale year round. It's used for educational purposes by Dig In! Campus Agriculture at the University of Toronto, and for research projects under the supervision of Dr. Brad Bass.
When I started my job as the Chair's Assistant in Anthropology in 2008, I was given the tour and was excited to learn about the existence of a greenhouse off the staff lounge on the second floor. Unfortunately, it was in a state of disrepair and was not safe to be used. For two years, I hasselled my manager about when the department would make the necessary repairs so I could grow food. We were undergoing budget cuts and there was no money.
In the summer of 2010 I started to volunteer with a student group on campus, Dig In! Campus Agriculture). I asked if they could use their funding to repair the greenhouse. While interested, University policy prohibits student groups from using their funds for capital projects. But they very much wanted use of the space to give their seedlings a head start in the Spring. So they reached out to their networks, and eventually we were put in touch with Dr. Brad Bass, an Adjunct Professor at the School of Environment. Brad needed greenhouse space for his research, and had grant money for the repairs. In exchange, he would be given use of half the greenhouse. Anthropology staff, students and Dig In! would maintain use of the other half for educational workshops and growing food.
After navigating a significant amount of University red tape and bureaucracy, repairs finally began on March 2, 2011. Plexi-glass panels were installed in front of the cracked glass panes (we couldn't afford to replace the glass, so this was our cheap fix), lights and electrical units were installed and made safe, new caulking was applied and a water source installed. The Department's support was instrumental in getting this project off the ground, as in the end my manager agreed to pay the top-up necessary for all the essential repairs required to deem the greenhouse safe to use.
I have been enjoying the greenhouse ever since! In late 2015, the department replaced the plexi-glass with proper glass panes. The greenhouse is unheated, which can make controlled experiments tricky but Brad's students conducted successful biochar trials in 2014 (for which the students won a science fair award.) In April 2017, the University of Toronto Sustainability Office paid for further upgrades to install insulated wall panels. Dig In! has held workshops on soil blocking and worm composting. I have copious amounts of red wriggler worms to share with anyone interested.
Note: The various badges displayed in people profiles are largely honesty-based self-proclamations by the individuals themselves. There are reporting functions users can use if they know of blatant misrepresentation (for both people and projects). Legitimacy, competency and reputation for all people and projects can be evidenced and/or developed through their providing regular updates on permaculture work they’re involved in, before/after photographs, etc. A spirit of objective nurturing of both people and projects through knowledge/encouragement/inspiration/resource sharing is the aim of the Worldwide Permaculture Network.
 |
MemberA member is a permaculturist who has never taken a PDC course. These cannot become PDC teachers. Members may be novice or highly experienced permaculturists or anywhere in between. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
|---|---|
  |
Permaculture MatchmakerOne of these badges will show if you select your gender and the "I'm single, looking for a permaculture partner" option in your profile. |
 |
PDCPeople who claim to have taken a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course somewhere in the world. |
 |
PDC VerifiedPeople who have entered an email address for the teacher of their PDC course, and have had their PDC status verified by that teacher. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
 |
PRI PDCPeople who’ve taken a Permaculture Research Institute PDC somewhere in the world. |
 |
PDC TeacherPeople who claim to teach some version of PDC somewhere in the world. |
 |
PRI TeacherWith the exception of the ‘Member’ who has never taken a PDC, all of the above can apply to become a PRI PDC Teacher. PRI PDC Teachers are those who the PRI recognise, through a vetting board, as determined and competent to teach the full 72-hour course as developed by Permaculture founder Bill Mollison – covering all the topics of The Designers’ Manual as well as possible (i.e. not cherry picking only aspects the teacher feels most interested or competent in). Such teachers also commit to focussing on the design science, and not including subjective spiritual/metaphysical elements. The reason these items are not included in the PDC curriculum is because they are “belief” based. Permaculture Design education concerns itself with teaching good design based on strategies and techniques which are scientifically provable. PRI PDC Teachers may be given teaching and/or consultancy offerings as they become available as the network grows. |
 |
Aid WorkerThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to be involved in permaculture aid work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture aid worker experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
 |
ConsultantThe individual with this badge is indicating they are, have, or would like to do paid permaculture design consultancy work. As such, the individual may or may not have permaculture consultancy experience. Watch their updates for evaluation. |
|
Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
