Twenty years ago, a group from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC created a non-profit organization
called Fertile Ground: East/West Sustainability Network. It's been an amazing journey - not only for
the many tea growers and farmers we've worked with in northeast India, but also for
many volunteers, friends and supporters from Canada, India, UK and several other countries.
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Over the past year, Fertile Ground has been in contact with tea growers and farmers from
the Bodo and Kachari tribal communities in the northwest corner of Assam. With the support of
World Community Development Education Society, BC Federation of Post-Secondary Educators
Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club, and partners here on Canada's west coast and in Assam,
we've been discussing the prospect of helping to develop a new organic farming centre in their area!
We look forward to keeping you posted about the progress of this important grassroots initiative!
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a sad note in passing.....
On January 30, 2024, tea grower and producer Maddhurjya Gogoi passed away as a result of a massive stroke.
Maddhurjya, who served briefly as General Secretary for Organic Small Tea Growers Association of NE (India),
will be remembered for his enthusiasm, hard work, sense of humour and love of his two young children.
He will be missed by many....
Maddhurjya shared his gratitude and appreciation for Fertile Ground's work in Assam in a short video clip
which was shared with guests attending our AGM in November 2023. The video can be viewed by clicking on the image below...
Fertile Ground's 20th year celebration and AGM was held on Sun. Nov. 26th at Creekside Commons in Courtenay.
Our board for the 2024/25 fiscal year includes:
Benjamin Dunstan, Cheri Lamb, Peggy Carswell, Chris Bruels and Valerie Sherriff.
Thank you, everyone!
Benjamin Dunstan, Cheri Lamb, Peggy Carswell, Chris Bruels and Valerie Sherriff.
Thank you, everyone!
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Grateful to be able to gather in the beautiful Common Room at Creekside Commons again this year!
After a short business meeting and refreshments - including some awesome samosas and pakoras prepared by Gurlal Singh! -
special guests, Hazel Lennox, Kel Kelly and Chip Ross shared images and a few entertaining stories about the early history of tea,
how members of the Singpho tribe introduced the British to the presence of indigenous tea bushes in northeast India 200 years ago,
and about Ann Poyser - the first woman to own and manage a tea garden in Assam!
After a short business meeting and refreshments - including some awesome samosas and pakoras prepared by Gurlal Singh! -
special guests, Hazel Lennox, Kel Kelly and Chip Ross shared images and a few entertaining stories about the early history of tea,
how members of the Singpho tribe introduced the British to the presence of indigenous tea bushes in northeast India 200 years ago,
and about Ann Poyser - the first woman to own and manage a tea garden in Assam!
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In May 2023, Fertile Ground and World Community Development Education Society celebrated our longstanding
partnership and connection by co-hosting the Canadian premier showing of an uplifting film about
one of Assam's successful tea entrepreneurs and producers.
Directed by Mushuka Ranchiary, the film was produced with support from the Gov't. of India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
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To see images of Tenzing's garden and read about the idea behind "Elephant Friendly" certification,
click on the image below!
Sincere thanks to friends and supporters of Fertile Ground for joining us
at our 2022 annual general meeting. Great to see you in person, and to
share some uplifting stories and news about developments in the organic tea
and farming movement in Assam - and other states in North East India!
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Special thanks to longtime donors World Community Development Education Society and Edible Island Whole Foods for sharing proceeds from the sale of World Community tea with us again this year.
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Welcome on board to our two new board members
Benjamin Dunstan and Cheri Lamb! Fertile Ground 2022/23 board (top left, clockwise) Chris Bruels, Valerie Sherriff, Michelle Hua, Cheri Lamb, Benjamin Dunstan and Peggy Carswell |
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2022 has been a busy year for Assam's Annapurna Seeds!
Annapurna Seed Library's new seed storage area, pictured on the left, has been completed and is providing secure storage for 200+ important traditonal rice varieties, many of which have been close to extinction.
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Mahan Borah participated in local, national and international events over the past year including the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
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The February 2022 issue of UD5050's newsletter highlights support Fertile Ground and Rotary Clubs
in District 5020 have provided to seed saving and organic farming initiatives in Assam over the past 15 years.
To read the whole article, click here or on the image below!
The February 2022 issue of UD5050's newsletter highlights support Fertile Ground and Rotary Clubs
in District 5020 have provided to seed saving and organic farming initiatives in Assam over the past 15 years.
To read the whole article, click here or on the image below!
This post contains excerpts from an article written by reporter Chandrani Sinha, an independent journalist
who works on climate change, gender, health and sustainable development in Northeast India. To read the full story, click on this link.
who works on climate change, gender, health and sustainable development in Northeast India. To read the full story, click on this link.
Click on the image above to watch a short video in Assamese language on preparation of compost "tea."
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Filmmaker Krista Slavik at work with Abhijit in his garden while volunteering with Fertile Ground.
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Abhijit Das is a small tea grower. He is one of the few organic tea growers in Assam, but what makes his garden different from the other gardens is that it uses ancient Vedic methods to grow tea. He has a 7 hectare tea garden located in the village of Pabhoi named Mrittika Natural Farm.
“Mrittika means soil in Sanskrit and so to improve its quality we adopted Vedic methods. it also helps in fighting climate change effects and pest removal from leaves. Eg, in place of chemical fertilizer we use Jeevamruth” says Abhijit. "It is a natural liquid fertilizer. made by mixing water, manure, and urine from cows with some mud from the same area as the manure will be applied later. Food is then added to speed the growth of microbes - sometimes jaggery or gram flour too can be used in it."
“Mrittika means soil in Sanskrit and so to improve its quality we adopted Vedic methods. it also helps in fighting climate change effects and pest removal from leaves. Eg, in place of chemical fertilizer we use Jeevamruth” says Abhijit. "It is a natural liquid fertilizer. made by mixing water, manure, and urine from cows with some mud from the same area as the manure will be applied later. Food is then added to speed the growth of microbes - sometimes jaggery or gram flour too can be used in it."
Like Abhijit, there is a number of young planters and farmers who are using Vedic methods to harvest teas. Other methods include Panchagavya which is an organic product that helps in promoting growth and providing immunity in the plant system. Panchagavya consists of nine products viz. cow dung, cow urine, milk, curd (yoghurt), jaggery (unrefined sugar), ghee (butter), ripe banana, tender coconut, and water. When suitably mixed and used, these have miraculous effects. Sasyagavya, Dhanyagavya and other formulas are also mentioned in ancient Vedic manuscripts.
Why the sudden shift from organic to Vedic?
In 1999 an environmental activist from Canada first visited Northeastern India. Her name is Peggy Carswell. Peggy was the winner of the 2016 Women’s World Summit Foundation award. She coordinates with the Canadian non-profit organization Fertile Ground and has connected many small tea growers and farmers in India with resources, training, and educational materials. She trained many small tea growers in the Northeast to adopt the Vedic methods in farming.
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.“I met Peggy in 2013 in a workshop. She is a great inspiration. Also Neelam Dutta who is a well known award-winning organic farmer from Pabhoi inspired me.
Since then I adapted the Vedic methods in my farming. It is almost similar to organic farming but some of the methods we follow have been mentioned in ancient Vedic scripts written by the scholars and saints of early times with detailed description,” added Abhijit |
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Learn more about Fertile Ground's work with tea growers in northeast India by visiting https://organicsmallteagrowers.weebly.com/
Many thanks to our friends and supporters for joining us online
on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021 at our 18th Annual General Meeting!
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And yes - we're ALL hopeful we'll be able to celebrate in person next year, along with chai, pakoras, samosa and our favorite Indian sweets!
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A sad loss to the Fertile Ground team.....
We recently learned of the passing of former staff member, Suman Ghosh.
Suman was a kind, energetic and hard worker who helped develop and maintain the organic
demonstration garden at Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa located in Digboi, his home-town.
Fertile Ground's board, members and volunteers send sincere condolences to Suman's sister Pompy,
to his friends, and to longtime neighbours residing in and around Muliabari.
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A few highlights from 2021
To take out or renew your membership, or make a tax-deductible donation, click above or visit
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/fertile-ground-eastwest-sustainability-network/
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/fertile-ground-eastwest-sustainability-network/
At this time Fertile Ground is unable to provide volunteer opportunities in Assam.
Please take all necessary precautions to stay safe, friends......
Please take all necessary precautions to stay safe, friends......
At our 2020 Annual General Meeting, we shared highlights of work underway in Assam
and confirmed funding for construction of a new seed storage facility,
ibrary and classroom at Meleng Gaon village!
The building will be used to safely store over 300 varieties of Assam's traditional seeds - primarily rice -
host training sessions and help ensure these seeds remain in the hands of farmers, not corporations.
host training sessions and help ensure these seeds remain in the hands of farmers, not corporations.
Mahan Borah, founder of Annapurna Seed Library, with some of the varieties of rice/paddy he's collected.
Many of these seeds have important medicinal and cultural values, and possess
characteristics that enable them to grow in a wide range of soil, climatic and environmental conditions.
to Strathcona Sunrise and Cumberland Centennial Rotary Clubs, the Mid-Island Group and District 5020
for their support for this project - as well as to World Community Development Education Society,
Edible Island Whole Foods Market and individual donors - just like you!
To renew your membership or make a donation, contact [email protected]
or visit www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/fertile-ground-eastwest-sustainability-network
....and remember, when you purchase The Small Tea Cooperative's flavorful, naturally-grown teas
you'll enjoy teas produced by independent growers in Assam, AND help us
continue to encourage use of traditional and sustainable farming practices in northeast India!
Teas are available at Edible Island Whole Foods in Courtenay, BC or online at www.smallteacoop.com
for their support for this project - as well as to World Community Development Education Society,
Edible Island Whole Foods Market and individual donors - just like you!
To renew your membership or make a donation, contact [email protected]
or visit www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/fertile-ground-eastwest-sustainability-network
....and remember, when you purchase The Small Tea Cooperative's flavorful, naturally-grown teas
you'll enjoy teas produced by independent growers in Assam, AND help us
continue to encourage use of traditional and sustainable farming practices in northeast India!
Teas are available at Edible Island Whole Foods in Courtenay, BC or online at www.smallteacoop.com
In October of 2020, Fertile Ground board member Sarah Michelle Kerr passed away at home,
surrounded by family and friends. Sarah was a gifted photographer, dancer, potter and free spirit -
a friend to many people around the world, including hundreds of students, teachers, farmers and tea growers
she connected with while travelling and working in Assam. A supporter of Fertile Ground for 12 years,
Sarah's joy, laughter and open heart will be remembered and celebrated by everyone who knew her.
surrounded by family and friends. Sarah was a gifted photographer, dancer, potter and free spirit -
a friend to many people around the world, including hundreds of students, teachers, farmers and tea growers
she connected with while travelling and working in Assam. A supporter of Fertile Ground for 12 years,
Sarah's joy, laughter and open heart will be remembered and celebrated by everyone who knew her.
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Click on the images below to view short videos about some of the
amazing people who are leading the organic farming movement in Assam and northeast India!
Mahan Borah
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Neelam Dutta
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Tenzing Bodosa
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Samir Bordoloi
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Basamlu Krisikro
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Gobin Hazarika
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Abhijit Das
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Pompy Ghosh
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....a few more of the inspiring people we've had the opportunity to work with over the past 20 years!
To read about our partners, donors and the initiatives we've worked on, click on What We Do on the toolbar above
To visit our blog - click HERE!
To visit our blog - click HERE!
- Thanks to ALL our members, friends and guests who took part in the 2020 AGM via Zoom
share stories, videos and photos of some of the change-makers in Assam's organic farming movement
- and celebrate the work done by Fertile Ground and our partners - here and in India!
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CanadaHelps charges a fee when receiving funds on our behalf.
For donations over $500, please contact us to discuss options.... 
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A few highlights from the field....
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A beautiful new 12 bed farmers' hostel - a joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation, Digboi Rotary Club and Fertile Ground - was inaugurated in March 2017 at the Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa organic farming centre in Digboi, Assam.
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We're continuing to increase our library of videos in Assamese, English and other local languages. Many are available for viewing and download on www.assam-organic.network.org or organicsmallteagrowers.weebly.com
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Fertile Ground provides opportunities for training, and discussion, and helps build connections with people from all walks of life and many parts of the world. Our commitment to following more sustainable farming practices brings us together!
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Strengthening connections with small-scale organic tea growers!
For the past 9 years, growers from Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan and Meghalaya have taken part in meetings organized by OSTGANE, the Organic Small Tea Growers Association of North East (India). Click here to visit OSTGANE's website and follow exciting new developments that will bring much-needed support to independent, family-run tea gardens! Click here to download resource materials in Assamese language from Fertile Ground's website! Additional resource materials and videos are available for downloading and viewing at www.assam-organic-network.org |
OSTGANE was created in response to a meeting of small tea growers, their supporters, FAO, IFOAM and Tea Board of Indiia.
The meeting was organized in 2012 by Pompy Ghosh, former coordinator of Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa in Digboi, Assam,
with the support of Rotary Club of Digboi and the Indian Oil Corporation (Assam Oil Division).
Since 2003, Fertile Ground has provided encouragement, training and resources to farmers, small-scale tea growers, extension staff, teachers, students and families living in the state of Assam. Our approach combines important elements of India's traditional knowledge with simple organic practices that make use of locally available materials.
Along with a growing number of local tea growers, farmers and resource people, we're helping people grow healthy food and explore opportunities for creating profitable small-scale business ventures.
Along with a growing number of local tea growers, farmers and resource people, we're helping people grow healthy food and explore opportunities for creating profitable small-scale business ventures.
Do you love organic farming? Know how to make compost or use a digital camera to produce simple videos?
Interested in learning about the people and cultures of north east India?
Contact us for more details!
Interested in learning about the people and cultures of north east India?
Contact us for more details!
“I found my experience in Ambikapur to be incredibly eye-opening. I had an amazing time there, and found the work to be very fulfilling.
I'm so grateful for having had the opportunity to participate with this project.
I'm not overstating it when I say this trip to India has changed the direction I'm taking in my life and the work I want to do.”
Mitch Brost visited a number of towns and villages in Assam while studying
Environmental Studies at Camosun College in Victoria, BC.
Thanks to a donation from The Salt Spring Seed Sanctuary, farmer and seed saver Mahan Borah was able to build a temporary building to store some of the varieties of indigenous paddy (rice) that he'd collected and is continuing to grow out.
Mahan also collects seeds of traditionally-grown vegetables,such as brinjal/eggplant, chili and bean.) Follow Mahan's work on Facebook! |
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Fertile Ground Coordinator, Peggy Carswell, at a meeting with tea growers, the Tea Board of India,
International Federation of Oorganic Agriculture Movements and United Nations FAO's Intergovernmental Committee on Tea.
Speakers at the meeting successfully lobbied for more support for independent, small-scale growers and producers.
International Federation of Oorganic Agriculture Movements and United Nations FAO's Intergovernmental Committee on Tea.
Speakers at the meeting successfully lobbied for more support for independent, small-scale growers and producers.
....a few highlights from past AGM's
A great turnout at our 2018 AGM!
Thanks to Sarah Kerr for creating this slide show and capturing a few highlights from 2016.
- stories, images, Indian chai and snacks - and special guest, dance diva Cathy Stoyko!
Thanks to Sarah Kerr for creating this slide show and capturing a few highlights from 2016.
- stories, images, Indian chai and snacks - and special guest, dance diva Cathy Stoyko!
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Many thanks for all the good wishes, for coming out to celebrate with us,
and to our friends and supporters who've taken part in fundraising events and AGM's
- the food, the chai, the sweets, the set-up and the clean-up!
November 2015
and to our friends and supporters who've taken part in fundraising events and AGM's
- the food, the chai, the sweets, the set-up and the clean-up!
November 2015
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Congratulations to Jennifer Pickford and Judy Goldschmidt -
winners of the insulated bags full of organic sprouts, oils and other goodies
generously donated by our friends at Eatmore Sprouts!
winners of the insulated bags full of organic sprouts, oils and other goodies
generously donated by our friends at Eatmore Sprouts!
HIGHLIGHTS OF FERTILE GROUND'S 10TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING!
"10 YEARS OF FAIR TRADE TEA" - CELEBRATING THE ASSAM TEA PROJECT !
with World Community, Edible Island and Fertile Ground
Read more about last October's event by clicking here or visiting our blog!
...more photos on Facebook
with World Community, Edible Island and Fertile Ground
Read more about last October's event by clicking here or visiting our blog!
...more photos on Facebook
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