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Fifty young minds selected from across the state
recently participated in a seminar entitled 'World
of Difference - the challenge of sustainability'
held on a farm near Mansfield. Starting with free
rein to plan the farm and using ideas developed
with Michael O'Meara, one of the best youth mentors
and motivational speakers in the country, they
finished with a set of exciting plans for the
Trustees of the farm to consider. Participants
were provided with materials from various sources
including LandLearn, to help them come to terms
with the concepts of sustainability.
The
seminar opened with a presentation to the farm
of 150 chickens raised from eggs by primary school
students in the area. Lesley MacGregor, Mansfield
Cluster Educator, guided the students and teachers
participating in the seminar to increase their
understanding of the strict biodynamic principles
followed in the raising of the chickens.
Under
the expert direction of Michael O'Meara, the participants
explored the processes of generating ideas, considering
innovative original possibilities for themselves,
as well as for the Mansfield Agricultural Land
Trust (MALT) Farm and their own communities. These
ideas were further developed into proposals that
were presented to the MALT Farm Trustees and community
members at a 'business breakfast' in Mansfield.
The
MALT Farm has been left in trust for sustainable
agriculture and education, particularly Biodynamics,
Permaculture and Community Education. There are
now several options for the Trustees to consider
to develop the Farm as a leading, purpose-built
facility turning the complex (and timely notion)
of sustainability into practical reality. The
proposals include a village of eco-cabins where
young people can learn about sustainability on
location; a 'back to the future' setting where
participants can experience life as it may become;
a tourist precinct that raises awareness of biodynamic
agriculture, and a 'virtual realm' where young
people can become immersed in a lifestyle not
demanding high resource use.
As
we say, the seminar participants proved they could
contribute to making a World of Difference!
(Adapted
from an article submitted by Merv Edmunds, Mercy
College Camperdown)
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