Page 22 - Barefoot guide

STORY

“I CAN GROW MY OWN GOOD FOOD MEDICINE”

Martha and Sarah shared a taxi home, wearing masks to protect themselves and
other passengers. In Martha’s bag was a small collection of different seeds in
twists of paper, which Ruth had given her to start her new garden. They chatted
excitedly about the day.

“I know which farmers use natural methods to grow their vegetables,” Sarah
said. “I can show them to you in the marketplace.”
“Thanks, Sarah. And thanks for taking me there. Ruth really made me believe I
can grow my own good food medicine.”
“I know you can, my friend. And if your brother tries to interfere, send him to
Ma Abigail! She’ll sort him out.”
The two friends laughed.

Food grown with chemicals Natural food

• Works by trying to control and restrict nature • Natural food production works in harmony with
through chemicals, synthetic fertiliser and hybrid nature. A central focus is on maintaining healthy
or genetically modified seeds (GMOs). soil through increasing soil organic matter that is
the habitat of many living microorganisms, that
process the much-needed minerals, and vitamins
for good plant nutrition. It is toxin and chemical
free plant farming also called agroecological
farming.

• Plants grow by drawing nutrients directly from • Plants grown by drawing nutrients from soil
synthetic fertilisers that destroy much of the enriched by organic fertilisers of compost and
organic matter that is essential to the life in the animal manure.
soil (soil microbes).

• The often-unbalanced addition of nitrogen, • Promotes microorganisms in the soil through
phosphorous and potassium (NPK) fertilisers compost or organic fertilisers to release nutrients
can increase yields for a time but degrades to the root system of plants. This includes micro-
soil health, the level of organic matter, and the nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium and others
availability of essential micronutrients such as which strengthen the immune system, and help
zinc, iron, boron, molybdenum, and copper. resist against a serious or fatal case of COVID-19.

• Produce chemical residues that enter the gut of • The micronutrients promote diversity and health
humans. These harm gut microbes, leading to in the microbiome, leading to stronger bodies
allergies and a weakened immune system. and stronger immune systems, better able to fight
against all dieases, including if one gets infected
with COVID-19.
• Uses a limited variety of commercially bred crops • Uses a great variety and diversity of crops,
which are not adapted to local conditions and including wild greens and traditional crops,
have fewer nutrients. mimicking or following the ways of Nature.

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