permaculture

(Michael S) #1
Workshop Module 10: Animal Systems 295

Creative thinking : Community animal management plan


Method : Participatory planning and designing 3-D models

Tools : See preparations below

References : PC Book MOD 10 – Animal Systems

Objective : Participants create a community animal management plan

Preparation



  • Enough soil so that groups of 8-10 participants can each work together to create
    models of 3-D hillsides.

  • A supply of water and at least 1 watering can per group (if regular watering cans
    are not available, use large tin cans with small nail holes in the bottoms).

  • Shovels, spades, hoes, and rakes for modeling the hillsides.

  • Hand trowels and smaller tools for the finer detail of the models.

  • Other items that can be useful for making creative models (twine, cardboard,
    pens, small stones, cards or models to represent animals, etc).


Step 1 - Exercise orientation


With the participants, the facilitator should discuss the key principles of animal manage-
ment that will benefit from a community approach. The following components can be
listed on a board or a large piece of paper so all the participants can see.


Encourage the participants to include as many of the following principles as possible in


their models:



  • Animal health - Identifying diseases, separating diseased animals from other
    animals, preventing diseases, and quickly treating disease.

  • Animal breeding - The healthiest males for breeding can be used to improve
    stock quality, reduce individual costs and labour, and improve the overall wealth
    of the community.

  • Land animal feeding - Labour time is reduced and resources such as water
    supply can be shared.

  • Animal yards and houses - Provides many benefits including:

    • Less labour and resources to build 1 big shelter than many small shelters.

    • Manure can be easily collected for fertilizer, trading, or selling.

    • Easier to provide feed and water.

    • Better for marketing and selling animals.




EXERCISE

CR

EAT

IVE^ THINK
IN
G
Free download pdf