Fertile Ground and our partners in Assam are looking for volunteers for the fall and winter of 2014 and early 2015.  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! 
Thanks to everyone who took part part in this year's AGM!

Congratulations to Jennifer Pickford and Judy Goldschmidt - winners of the two insulated bags full of organic sprouts, oils and other goodies generously donated by our friends at Eatmore Sprouts! 
Couldn't make it, but want to help out?   
Donate online or write to us at Box 179, Merville, BC  V0R 2M0
Tax receipts available for donations of $25 or more.
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Fertile Ground Coordinator, Peggy Carswell, travelled to Assam in September to take part in meetings with tea growers, the Tea Board of India, IFOAM and FAO's Intergovernmental Committee on Tea. We asked for more support for independent, small-scale producers - and it looks like they may get it!

After discussions with India's Tea Board in September,
things are looking up for Assam's small-scale tea growers!
www.teanewsdirect.com/2013/10/india-tea-board-approves-micro-mini-factories/


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In northeast India, there is still limited support available for farmers and growers following local farming methods, or for those interested in incorporating organic agriculture practices such as composting, mulching, and natural pest control.

For the past 10 years, 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 projects support people to grow healthy food by combining important elements of India's traditional knowledge with simple organic practices that make use of locally available materials.

An important part of our work is providing opportunities for volunteers to take part in outreach activities in towns and villages throughout the state - to share their skills and enthusiasm and exchange information about the cultures and values of our two countries

Thanks for making our 10th AGM and Celebration a SUCCESS!

       Just a few of the terrific volunteers who've traveled to Assam to work with us !  
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Clockwise from upper left:  Michelle Hua, Taiwan, Niels vonMeyenfeldt, British Columbia., Megan Lickley, Nova Scotia, Samantha Parlour, Ontario, Sundar Sekarmathi, Tamil Nadu, and Hillary Barter, Nova Scotia


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Mitch Brost, a recent graduate of Camosun College's Environmental Technology program, volunteered with Fertile Ground's projects in Assam.
“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.”
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The new organic farming program is just getting underway at Kakojan College, near Jorhat, Assam!   More details coming soon!
click here to read or download the
FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER !
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Find out how Kids to Kids has made connections between young people in Canada and Assam - or watch some neat videos about past projects - just cllick on the photo above!
Great fun at "Get Growing" - an exciting series of workshops Fertile Ground took part in at Lake Trail Neighbourhood Connections here in the Comox Valley.
Strengthening connections with small-scale organic tea growers!              
70 growers from northeast India attended an important meeting on Wed., Sept. 11th  at  Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa, in Digboi, Assam.  
Click here to read organizer Pompy Ghosh's report and follow exciting new developments that will bring much-needed support to independent, family-run tea gardens!
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                       "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 new blog!
                                                                                                                          ...more photos on Facebook