SEED

The School’s Environment Educational and Development (SEED) organisation works with schools on the Cape Flats to develop sustainable permaculture food gardens at the schools which can provide income for the schools as well as an environmental education for the children.

Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. The philosophy behind Permaculture is one of working with, rather than against, nature.

Participating schools pass through three project phases – each with a slightly different focus. The Nursery Phase focuses on developing the food garden surrounded by the systems for sustainability as well as developing a broad based understanding of Environmental Education at the school. The Intermediate Phase is a year of focusing on developing entrepreneurial systems and getting to the stage where SEED is able to begin withdrawing support. Schools at this phase have a broad base of teacher support and engage the community and surrounding schools. Once schools reach the Advanced Phase they operate on their own. SEED provides six days of trouble shooting and training.

The SEED project was the earmarked beneficiary for the Solstice Foundation’s 2007 ball. The Foundation committed to providing funding to the sum of R109,000 to the Seed Project and, more specifically, to cover the costs of putting one Cape Flats school onto “The Organic Classroom Program” over a period of two years during 2008 and 2009.

Visit the  SEED website for more information on this valuable initiative.