The first EFC of the semester, Sustainable Food Systems, is well underway with students getting their fist taste of “class time” in the field. While one group started with home stays in the organic farming community of Maeta, the other started at the Upland Holistic Development Project (UHDP) in Fang. One of the projects at UHDP allowed students to give back to their hosts at UHDP while also learning about seed-saving techniques and simple earthen home construction.
Students began the construction of an Earthbag house for UHDP and their partner, ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization). The structure, which will be made using recycled and Earthen materials, will act as a seed storage bank for ECHO’s ongoing work with seed saving to preserve biodiversity. The Earthbag house will create an ideal environment for seed storage by keeping out unwanted pests as well as maintaining a consistent, cool temperature.
Students put in labor leveling (with a little help from the bulldozer) and clearing the plot before building the foundation and a french drain irrigation system. Overall, students found it to be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities at UHDP. The other group will continue the construction when they take their turn at UHDP this week.
Students work on clearing the site before leveling.
The bulldozer finishes off the leveling work.
Casey, Mel, Margaux, Hannah, and Evan join UHDP staff in prepping the plot for construction.
Mark and Erin measure out some piping for the irrigation system.
Evan carts off some gravel to be used french drain.
Mel, Dan, and Margaux work together to even out the surface of the plot.
Erin, Alicia, and Mark prep bags that will be used in the construction.
Students take a well-deserved break after clearing and prepping the plot and constructing both the foundation and french drain system.
All of the students (and UHDP/ECHO staff James) pose for the camera after completing the project.
