Since 2005, Fertile Ground has worked in partnership with a dedicated group of Rotarians in Upper Assam to establish "Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa" - a 2 acre demonstration garden and training centre.
Inspired by their interest in organic gardening, club members have arranged accommodation for Fertile Ground volunteers, secured donations of building materials & furnishings, and raised funds for other operating costs, including the wages of a full-time gardener.
WCDES is a Canadian non-profit organization based in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, B.C. It was formed to foster awareness of community development issues and the links between local and global concerns. Proceeds from the sale of World Community's organically-grown fair trade tea help support Fertile Ground's work in Assam. http://www.wcdes.ca/
Canada India Village Aid is an independent non-profit charitable society based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. By supporting Fertile Ground's "Growing Healthy Families" program,, CIVA helped make it possible for women living Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Jorhat districts to access training in organic farming, food preservation, mushroom cultivation and other income-generating skills.
The Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems is based in Tamil Nadu, India Their programs focus on organic and sustainable farming technologies that incorporate practices and knowledge directly linked to India's ancient knowledge systems.
Fertile Ground is grateful for the encouragement and support provided by CIKS. In 2006, project staff from Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa, along with small-scale tea growers and volunteers, made an exciting trip to southern India to visit CIKS' experimental farm. The group visited farmers and resource people, attended training sessions and developed an understanding of many important traditional farming practices. www.ciks.org
Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional and community leaders. Rotary's programs have helped provide tools, seeds, technical and educational support to projects in Digboi and Sadiya. Contributions have also been made by members of Strathcona Sunrise Rotary and Cumberland Centennial from the Comox Valley, B.C., Canada, and by District 5020. www.rotary.org
Alan deJersey, President of Cumberland Centennial Rotary, presented a cheque for $500 to LeighAnn Vaughan and Onyx Vaughan Ogilvie to support development of the new organic demonstration garden in Sadiya, Assam.
