Creative Farming

For thousands of years, parts of the Neem tree have been used for its medicinal and insecticidal properties. Considered by the people of India to be sacred, the legendary Neem tree has come to symbolize good health and protection, leading the Indians to refer to it as the “village pharmacy.” The ancient Ayurvedic tradition is said to be comprised largely …

The stripy fields have been planted across England as part of a trial to boost the natural predators of pests that attack cereal crops. Long strips of bright wildflowers are being planted through crop fields to boost the natural predators of pests and potentially cut pesticide spraying. The strips were planted on 15 large arable farms in central and eastern …

iShare Community We received so many contributions that we felt the greatest value lay in the community which sprang up around growing and cooking with kale. So well done to the whole iShare membership! Share your success story by submit your photos to our album dedicated to growing kale. Moldovan children found inspiration in this beautiful plant and sent to …

Once you see calendula blooms, you will never forget their golden ray-like petals that resemble the light of the sun. These golden flowers can bloom from early spring until late autumn. Seventeenth century botanist, herbalist, and astrologist Nicholas Culpepper linked Calendula officinalis with the astrological sign of Leo. From juices, soups, salves, tinctures, and herbal teas to sacred altars, these sunny blooms …

Gardens give children the opportunity to explore nature, get a little exercise, and unleash their creativity. In this age of smartphones many parents feel it’s nearly impossible to get their children excited about the outdoors—and we won’t even talk about their lack of enthusiasm for veggies. But kids are interested in nature—they just might be too over stimulated to notice. The …

What is a potager garden? A potager garden literally translates ‘for the soup pot’. Vegetables, fruits, and both medicinal and edible herbs are grown together with the main incentive to feed the family. These traditional kitchen gardens date back to France nearly a thousand years ago when it was common for people to grow their own food and medicine. Being …

Learn interesting facts about thyme! The ancient Egyptians used thyme in their rituals, the ancient Greeks — as an incense in the temples. Thyme, however, achieved its fame in Europe because of the Romans, who believed eating thyme before a meal is a protection from poison. The Assyrians and Armenians used thyme for culinary purposes, making condiments with it. And …

Leigh Marwick, an education professional based in New York, speaks about her experience leading a food education and gardening initiative. The programme aims to impart students with skills which both improve individual learning outcomes and deepen the strength of their community. Leigh will share insights into getting teenagers interested in food, running a successful gardening group, and optimising extracurricular activities …

Lavender is our plant of the week! It is native to Mediterranean region and has been known for ages. Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt used lavender for cosmetic purposes, and the inhabitants of Ancient Greece and Persia used it as herbal medicine. Lavender’s name comes from the Latin word “lavare” (to wash) due to the fact that lavender was used to …

Deadline: 23 Jun 2017 Gain recognition for your cooperative solution in the agri-food chain and share your innovative practice across Europe – apply for the European Award for Cooperative Innovation by 23 June 2017. The award is organised by Cogeca, the association of agri-cooperatives in the EU, and covers the following categories: ‘food processes’, ‘business model innovation’, ‘governance & members’ …