The Mediterranean Association for Soil Health

Our projects

EDUCATION

  • Of Consumers. This is achieved through:
    • Crete 's Culinary Sanctuaries - Week or 10 day tours in Crete that focus on nutrition, culture and organic food. Visits to demonstration sites where the public can learn more about the details of growing and processing high quality foods. More details at www.cookingincrete.com
    • Documentaries
    • Publications
    • Exhibitions
    • Website information
  • At Schools
    • Mini Organic Farmers School Programme: "Future" producers and consumers learn the tasks necessary to organically produce and create tasteful nutritious meals. MedASH, in co-operation with schools in Crete , teaches children ages 6-18 to cultivate the soil and produce their own organic vegetables during the school year. At the end of the school season (April-June) the children organize local fiestas with food prepared from their organic vegetables.
  • Of Kids
    • Using Rodale Institute's Kid's Re-generation Resource Network Educational Programs MedASH will provide a similar resource for kids in Greek (2006, under development).
  • Of Teachers
    • In co-operation with the regional offices of Environmental Education of the Greek Ministry of Education, MedASH ' s experts educate teachers on how they can set up class activities that promote the understanding of the idea that healthy soils mean healthy communities
  • Of Farmers
    • Develop inexpensive and effective composting techniques for Greek farmers to rejuvenate soils; train farmers with these techniques;
    • Develop experimental farms on Crete for fresh vegetable and fruit production and for animal husbandry, in co-operation with individual farmer or a farmers' group. Organic agriculture is demonstrated as a practice.
    • Encourage farmers to communicate traditional and innovative technical information within the agricultural community (other farmers, technicians, researchers).
    • Website: (2006) Greek farmers can access technical information about organic farming through MedASH website (in Greek language).

POLICY ACTION

  • Voice of the Farmers : Encourages, through political and legal actions, the enlargement of institutional and governmental programs and funding that support agricultural production with methods that improve soil health and productivity.

EXTENSION: Training the Trainers

  • Professional Education
    Training Tourists and the Tourism Industry: Tourism Supported Organic Agriculture. MedASH sets up groups of organic farmers to produce food for local hotels. By building awareness that organic agriculture can be an excellent tool for the protection of soil, water and air, we are helping to preserve the environment that is the very attraction for tourists. This program builds a relationship that benefits farmers, the hotels, and the tourists: the farmers receive a steady market and fair price for their produce, hotels can advertise they offer organic food, and hotel guests get exquisite cuisine.

CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR EXCHANGE

  • Organic Agri-Cultural Exchange: A volunteer exchange program where interested individuals will work side by side in an apprentice relationship with organic farmers. Individuals will become familiar with the techniques and culture of agriculture in Greece , specifically in Crete , while they provide expertise and labor to the farmers in exchange.
  • Creates bridges of communication and coordinates efforts between teams of professionals that deal with the "chain of health ", who may not be coordinating efforts on their own: doctors, agronomists, geotechnical scientists, nutritionists, farmers, and tradesmen are all targeted.
  • Coordinates governmental and non governmental institutions and institutions for the education of farmers, agronomists and geotechnical, teachers, and other teams on issues with regard to the health of soils, foods and the ways that these are related with the people's health.
  • (2005) Greek farmers exchange experiences though the MedASH website.

LINKING FARM TO MARKET

Introduces farmers with high quality products on Crete to potential importers and buyers in other European countries.

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