On Thursday, 25 June, coordinated by the Green Anglicans office together with the diocesan Mothers Union Eco-champ Mme Hlalethwa, members of the Mothers’ Union from the Parish of the Resurrection, Maokeng, Kroonstad, in the Diocese of the Free State, gathered for a smart vegetable gardening training session to equip members with practical skills to grow healthy food at home.
The session began with a devotion led by Ordinand Maema, followed by a time of fellowship over tea. Archdeacon Ngcola then led a teaching session on the biblical principles of working and caring for the land, encouraging participants to see food gardening as both a practical activity and an important part of caring for God’s creation.
The training highlighted the importance of growing home-grown vegetables and the health benefits of eating fresh, nutritious food. Participants were encouraged to make use of available resources in their own homes and communities to develop sustainable food gardens.
Following the teaching, participants took part in a practical session where they learned how to establish trench beds at home. They were shown how household organic waste can be used to enrich the soil and improve its fertility. The training emphasised the importance of healthy, living soil, reminding participants that healthy soil produces healthy food.
The Mothers’ Union members also had the opportunity to create their own garden beds and learn how to plant a variety of seeds using the fruit, leaf, and root-rotation method. They were further introduced to the benefits of mulching, including retaining moisture, protecting the soil, and supporting healthy plant growth.
The training provided participants with practical knowledge they can take back to their homes and communities, empowering them to grow their own food, improve household nutrition, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
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