On 12-15 October, 2019 the "School of Biodynamics of Ukraine" und GS "Permaculture in Ukraine", with the support of the German-Ukrainian Cooperation in the Field of Organic Agriculture (COA), conducted the Farmer Training Course "Organic Vegetable Production".

The trainer of this event was Peter van Mol, a farmer from Belgium, whole life is engaged in agriculture and more than 20 years practicing biodynamic farming and teaching. On his farm in Belgium, he not only grows products, but also conducts training courses and in particular for children's education.

The training course "Organic Vegetable Production" consisted of two parts:

1) On 12 October: Introduction Day in Kyiv, Hryshko National Botanical Garden,

2) On 13-15 October: Organic Vegetable Production in Zeleni Kruchi ecovillage, Kyiv region.

During the Introduction Day the trainer gave competent lectures and basic knowledge about organic and biodynamic agriculture to people who varied from those who just plan to do agriculture to professionals in vegetable growing and encouraged them to investigate more in this direction.

The second part took place in Zeleni Kruchi ecovillage, 140 km from Kyiv.

The place of the event with permaculture and biodynamic garden gave possibility to spend most of the training outside, observing the soil and the plants in the garden, collecting seeds and examining it, applying biodynamic preparations to the garden and to the compost. The participants studied the vegetable farm as an agricultural organism with its needs, crops rotation, soil fertility, weed control in organic production, pests and disease control, the rhythms of the garden works. The participants gave a very positive feedback at the end of the training.

The training raised among the participants the level of understanding of vegetable growing in healthy environment of the organic farm, taking into accountant all the aspects of the farm. Such attitude together with applying biodynamic preparations gives possibility to grow safe and high quality vegetables without pesticides. The participants listened to the experience of the owner of a successful vegetable farm what gives inspiration to do such farming in Ukraine. Discussions of the social aspect of a community farm was a precious addition to agriculture techniques.

Source: ecovillage "Zeleni Kruchi"