Sustainable Gardening in the Shade

Edible Gardening in the Shade. Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA), copied March 15, 2016 Published on May 23, 2015 Many fruits and vegetables can be grown successfully in the shade. Karen Sutherland gives some pointers. www.sgaonline.org.au edibleedendesign.com

Impact upon Australia

The Slow Food Movement is part of a growing awareness of the relationship between healthy food and healthy bodies.

Permaculture (2016): Mollison has said: "Permaculture is a philosophy of working

 with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless labour; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single product system."

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation (SAKGF) was established in 2008. The Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting schools introducing Kitchen Gardens into primary schools. The Program is currently in 297 schools Australia wide. The Australian Government (2014) has committed funding to encourage another 400 schools to participate.

History of the Slow Food Movement

“Slow Food was started by Carlo Petrini and a group of activists in the 1980s with the initial aim to defend regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure and a slow pace of life. According to Slow Food, ©2015 history page, the movement has evolved to embrace a comprehensive approach to food that recognizes the strong connections between plate, planet, people, politics and culture.”  

Where has it spread?

The history page of Slow Food ©2015 states that the international headquarters are located in Bra, Italy. After beginning in Italy (1989), the movement spread to Germany(1992), Switzerland (1993), USA (2000), Japan (2004), UK (2006), Netherlands (2008). Recent members include Brazil, Kenya and South Korea. 

Slow Food Australia ©2016 explains Australia’s involvement. “Maggie Beer introduced Slow Food to Australia when she founded the first convivium in the Barossa region in 1995 Since then, people from across Australia have formed 18 local groups. These groups bring people together to Enjoy local food, Engage and Educate communities, Discover our food heritage and edible biodiversity and Encourage sustainable farming and food production.”

Rationale: The Slow Food philosophy can be viewed in detail at http://slowfood.com

•  their concept of food is defined by three interconnected principles;
• Good: quality, flavoursome and healthy food
• Clean: production that does not harm the environment
• Fair: accessible prices for consumers, fair conditions and pay for producers.
• aim to defend regional traditions, good food, gastronomic pleasure and a slow pace of life,
• our consumer choices can bring great change to how food is cultivated, produced and distributed,
• emphasises community involvement/togetherness/sharing knowledge. (A Full definition is available in the Slow Food Manifesto for Quality) 

Value of the Slow Food Movement in 21^st century: (My opinion)

• Some countries have the luxury of choice within consumerism. They may become conscious consumers who change and drive how food is cultivated, produced and distributed.
•  Accessible reliable information gives us the option of redesigning our garden and lifestyle. As individuals/families/communities we can use proven methods of gardening/horticulture/agriculture instead of having to use trial and error.
• In the 21^st century we are too much alone through our work in technology, or we are rushing to meet deadlines. I think we feel a lack of belonging. Community markets and events can give recognition of our successful efforts. This makes us happy.

Slow Food appeals to people: (My opinion)

• As we become more educated about the effects of our actions upon the food chain we realise that we make ourselves ill through pollution, toxic waste and highly processed foods. Most people would prefer to be healthy and avoid toxic side effects. Conscious decision making in food selection benefits our bodies.
• Biodiversity and cultural recipes gives us more pleasurable choices with food. Group entertaining depends upon quality food.
• It feels good to think that we have power through our consumer choices. This is probably confined to locality since international trade agreements are managed at government level.

Annotated Bibliography - Criticisms, Content and Coverage

Kitchen Garden Foundation, About Us, updated October 20, 2015, Retrieved March 13, 2016, https://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/content/about-us

Annotated Bibliography – Critical Analysis

This web site is easy to read, uncluttered and has working links to relevant sites, eg Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. These sites eventually lead to an evaluation of SAKGNP by independent researchers There is a lack of dates in SAKGF site so I’m uncertain when information was posted except for the news items. Information on their mission, board of directors, collaborators and sponsors is available.

Annotated Bibliography – Content and Coverage

In 2008 the Australian Government began financial support for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program to be introduced into primary schools. This program aims to encourage knowledge of growing seasonal food, cooking and the pleasure of sharing healthy foods. There are news items from the schools, recipes, educators support and items for sale.

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Slow Food, ©2015 Slow Food, Retrieved March 10, 2016, 1.03pm, http://www.slowfood.com/

Annotated Bibliography – Critical Analysis

This is the official international web site for the Slow Food Movement. Their are links to current events worldwide and limited language translation. Each page is clearly written and brief. There are demands for a change in industrial food production and land use. Unfortunately there are not any financial, scientific or procedural guides to show us how to make this change. The publications are descriptive.

Annotated Bibliography – Content and Coverage

About Us includes the history, philosophy, structure, location, terminology, key documents and frequently asked questions. Location has a map which allows you to view any country to find your closest convivium (local official group). There is emphasis on the right to choose the food you eat, to be healthy and to enjoy food. This movement is active and vocal on a number of current issues regarding food production. What We Do – Preserve Diversity encourages chefs to use and promote local food. Education includes growing food, cooking and gathering seeds for the next generation. 

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Slow Food, (modified October 20, 2015, 4.46pm), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Retrieved 13/11/2015, 10.06pm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Food#cite_note-20

Annotated Bibliography – Critical Analysis

A useful introduction into the Slow Food Movement, its objectives, locations and criticisms. It is clearly written with relevant images. The site was modified in October 2015. There are many working linked web sites which are up-to-date although some are not really informative.

Annotated Bibliography – Content and Coverage

Authorative people are mentioned and their active role in food education/sharing. The movement began in Italy to resist the opening of a McDonalds near the Spanish Steps in Rome. Its goals of sustainable foods and promotion of local small businesses are paralleled by a political agenda against globalization of agricultural products. A series of objectives is given. There’s a small discussion on international membership.

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Slow Food Australia, Slow Food Australia ©2016, Retrieved March 4, 2016, 11.54am, http://slowfoodaustralia.com.au/

Annotated Bibliography – Critical Analysis

This is the official Australian web site for the Slow Food Movement. It is arranged similar to the official Slow Food web site. The links work and it is clearly written. There is no language translation facility. Australian Events page was empty. I searched among the Slow Talk page and found the most recent mentioned event was the Slow Food Australian National Conference hosted by Slow Food Shoalhaven, Ulladulla, August 2015.

Annotated Bibliography – Content and Coverage

FAQ is easy to understand. The Snail logo is a registered trademark and can used only in connection with Slow Food’s international, national and local convivial events. In Australia biodiversity is promoted through the Ark of Taste, a catalogue of endangered traditional foods of indigenous Australians and immigrants. This is of historical interest. Location has a map which allows you to find your closest convivium. Educational activities and programs include school gardens, workshops, meals with producers, knowledge exchange between generations, guided tours and farm visits.

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Zaman, S., Yeasmin, S., Inatsu, Y., Ananchaipattana, C., Latiful Bari, M., (2014). Low-cost sustainable technologies for the production of clean drinking water-a review. Journal of Environmental Protection, (5), 42-53. doi:10.4236/jep.2014.51006

Annotated Bibliography – Critical Analysis

This is a scholarly article written by people who hold positions in universities or a research institution. It is written in layman language to reach the widest audience possible. There are clearly designed drawings to help us understand technical construction of water filter systems. The journal covers recent scientific research and is peer reviewed before accepted for publication.

Annotated Bibliography – Content and Coverage

This article discusses some unique low-cost sustainable technologies available or in-use, i.e. natural filtration, riverbank filtration, biosand filtration, membrane filtration, solar water disinfection technique, biologically degradable materials such as moringa powder, scallop powder treatment, and biosand pitcher treatments.  

Sustainable water quality management requires rigorous and regular monitoring of water resources for all potential contaminants. Monitoring is not a simple task and requires continued finance and human resources. Solar distillation process is recommended to obtain low cost clean water.

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References

Australian Government, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program, updated August 8, 2014, Retrieved 12 March 2016, 4.37pm, http://www.healthyactive.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/kitchen-garden

Kitchen Garden Foundation, About Us, updated October 20, 2015, Retrieved March 13, 2016, https://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/content/about-us

Permaculture, (modified February 25, 2016), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Retrieved 25 February, 2016, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture?oldid=706810866

Slow Food, ©2015 Slow Food, Retrieved  March 10, 2016, 1.03pm, http://www.slowfood.com/ 

Slow Food, (modified October 20, 2015, 4.46pm), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Retrieved November 13, 2015, 10.06pm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Food#cite_note-20 

Slow Food Australia, Slow Food Australia ©2016, Retrieved March 4, 2016, 11.54am, http://slowfoodaustralia.com.au/

Zaman, S., Yeasmin, S., Inatsu, Y., Ananchaipattana, C., Latiful Bari, M., (2014). Low-cost sustainable technologies for the production of clean drinking water-a review. Journal of Environmental Protection, (5), 42-53. doi:10.4236/jep.2014.51006