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Commenced:
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Submitted:
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24/06/2015 |
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Last updated:
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07/10/2015 |
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Location:
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MF |
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Phone:
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721-554-4156 |
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Website:
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http://sxmcommunitygardens.org |
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Climate zone:
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Wet/Dry Tropical |
The SXM Community Gardens Network is a project of the collaboration of two non-profit organizations, Light Workers SXM and the Sint Maarten Community Gardens Foundation. Both organizations share similar aims and objectives relating to organic food production, training and community outreach and are united in the vision of St. Maarten as a connected network of thriving, food secure, resilient communities in which residents work together for the benefit of all.
The SXM Community Gardens Network will create employment and provide training in various disciplines whilst providing organically grown, non-GMO produce and sustainably farmed freshwater fish for the local community. Community Gardens will be established using production techniques appropriate to each location although permaculture, edible landscaping and aquaponics will be the primary production systems used. Systems will be simple to construct, manage and replicate. All SXM Community Gardens will be accessible to the public, subject to local community bylaws and/or regulations. The SXM Community Gardens Network will play an important role in localizing, and strengthening, the economy of St. Maarten. Much of the fertile land on the island has been lost to development leaving only marginal land available for food production. The residents of St. Maarten are currently almost totally dependent upon imported food and a significant percentage of every Euro or Dollar spent on food leaves the island. The objective of the SXM Community Gardens Network is to increase food security for the people of St. Maarten by reducing dependence on imported food. The money spent on locally produced food remains within the local economy. This results in more affluent residents and more connected communities. The first community garden in the network is in the Lowlands on the French side of the island. The location provides us with an existing 400 m2 steel frame greenhouse, which is a valuable resource and is perfect for housing a commercial scale aquaponics production system and education learning center. The greenhouse has been fully renovated and is now in production with three custom designed aquaponics systems, 9,000 gallons of fish tanks and 5,000 plant spaces. The site has off road parking, electricity, a rain water cistern and piped water, should we need it.
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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. |
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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. |
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Community ProjectCommunity projects are projects that help develop sustainable community interaction and increase localised resiliency. |
