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09 March 2023 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Lunga Luthuli
Volunteer students participating in a two-day training by KovsieACT to learn fundamental principles of gardening, including soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilising, and pest management.

To ensure food security for students, KovsieACT – in collaboration with the Department of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems – held training sessions for approximately 150 student volunteers at the University of the Free State (UFS) community gardens on the Bloemfontein Campus. 

The UFS project consists of two large food tunnels, which provide an educational intervention that addresses food insecurity on campus, and by extension, food insecurity challenges students experience in their hometowns, at home, and in their villages.

Karen Scheepers, Assistant Director: Student Life, said: “The purpose of this training is to equip students with the necessary skills to identify or recognise the need for and importance of planting and taking care of vegetables. Participating students also learned the fundamental principles of gardening, including soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilising, and pest management.”

During the training held on 8 and 9 March 2023, students were also trained to choose the right seeds and to start their own seed germination project. “The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to grow and maintain a thriving vegetable garden,” added Scheepers.

The training was conducted by experienced professionals from the department, with students also getting an opportunity to ask questions and interact with fellow students who share their passion for gardening.

Scheepers said: “This training is a great opportunity for students to learn new skills, make new friends, and connect with the community. It will also help them to lead a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

The training is an extension of the institution’s No Student Hungry Programme (NSH), which continues to ensure that hundreds of students are supported with food parcels, including vegetables and non-perishable items. The NSH programme provides food to insecure students through modest food allowances and daily access to one balanced meal.

News Archive

UFS cattle auction facilities made available to CMW
2005-10-28

The University of the Free State (UFS) made the cattle auction facilities of its Lengau Agricultural Development Centre at the Sydenham experimental farm available to CMW.  The agreement is a collaboration between the UFS, the Mangaung Local Municipality and the National Farmers Union (NAFU) and will commence in November 2005. CMW is a minority shareholder of Sinethemba Mafana, a black economic empowerment company concentrating on the upcoming agricultural sector.  The cattle auctions will be held at the centre on the last Thursday of the month.

 

 

From the left:
Dr Léan van der Westhuizen (head of the UFS Lengau Agricultural Development Centre), Mr Willie Meyer (manager of CMW's central region), Prof Johan Greyling (head of the UFS Department of Animal- and Wildlife- and Grassland Sciences), Mr Thabo Pietersen (president of  NAFU in the Free State) and Mr Koos Kruger (auctioneer from CAW).
 

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