permaculture

Workshop Module 7: Farming 203

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ILITATOR

Presentation : Mulching for farms

Method : Facilitator presentation

Tools : Images of mulch production and use on farms,

black/white board, markers

References : PC Book MOD 7 – Farming; PC Book MOD 4 - Healthy Soil

Objective : Participants learn about using mulch on farms

A lot of mulch material is needed to keep a farm continuously mulched. The
facilitator should emphasize the importance of growing mulch, not just collecting it, to
ensure a continuous supply.

Preparation

The facilitator can prepare relevant handouts for the participants which explain the
benefits, and methods for growing and using mulches.

Running this exercise

The following methods of mulching are all described in detail in the “Natural fertilizers
and mulch” section of PC Book MOD 7 – Farming and in PC Book MOD 4 - Healthy Soil.

The facilitator can introduce the following while giving the participants hand outs and/or
showing images of the techniques, including:

• How to mulch.


• How to grow mulching materials, including:
  
  
  • Living fences and living terraces using legume trees.
  
  
  • Using stems, leaves, husks, etc from crops as mulch instead of burning.
  
  
  • Green manure crops.
  
  
  
  

The facilitator can encourage a discussion with the participants about:

• Any positive experiences that participants have had using mulches.


• What types of mulches the participants think would be good for different types
  of farming – Rice paddies, grain crops, vegetables, etc.


• Their ideas for developing a mulch production system for local farms.