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Agricultural Revitalisation Program At Caribbean Beach Resort and Spa Starts |
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LA TANTE, WEST INDIES, Jan. 8 -/E-Wire/-- This community service program will start in Early Spring 2008 by building an organic nursery - that does not yet exist in Grenada - to produce seedlings for short crops as well as spice trees. The beneficiaries are - often older - farmers that could not start up their farm because the access is still blocked and/or covered with dead trees and debris, caused by hurricane Ivan in September 2004. The program is a private initiative of the resort.
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Since local volunteers are not available, the resort decided to introduce the Volunteer Vacation that offers a balance between volunteer work (4 hours on weekdays) and enjoying the island. Volunteers only pay for meals, drinks and services the accommodation is free. Volunteers are asked to work every morning on weekdays and enjoy a high end activity program, including social contacts with locals. For the nursery the project seeks support from nursery suppliers. Everything from shade cloth to nursery sprinklers is welcome as the nursery needs to be built from scratch. The size can be as small as 200 square feet. Organic seeds have already been committed - and sent - by High Mowing Organic Seeds of Wolcott, VT.
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On April 15, 2008, when the rainy season kicks in (many farms have no irrigation) the program continues by assisting individual farmers to clear their land and access and provide the seedlings produced by the nursery.
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After hurricane Ivan many gardens became inaccessible by dead trees and debris. Many of those that could be accessed received assistance. But many remote farms are still not in operation. Hurricane Emily (7/2005) was not a motivation to get started again and several farmers that had just rebuilt gave up and moved into construction which was high in demand after Ivan without realizing this is a dead end. Now that the reconstruction boom is over they lose their jobs and after a while they do not have any reserves to start up their farm. Paradise Bay's revitalization program will assist them to clear their land and/or access, provide seedlings and other materials where needed. The revitalization program is aimed at crop and tree farmers with the older farmers being a priority. The older farmers typically were not in the financial and physical position to restart.
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There is not only a social problem for the farmers themselves: vegetables now have to be partly imported to satisfy the demand at increased prices. The program helps the farmers back in tune, from clearing their overgrown land to providing seedlings, as well as advice how to produce more economically and motivate them to switch to organic practices.
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Volunteers for this community service project are needed starting in mid April, as well as nursery suppliers to assist with materials for the nursery.
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About Paradise Bay Resort and Spa
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Grenada is a Caribbean tropical island with friendly people and gorgeous nature. Paradise Bay Resort and Spa features 9 Caribbean tropical villas on 8 acres amidst 1000's acres and is a sustainable tourism destination.
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The agricultural revitalization program is the resort's major 2008 Community Service project.
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Paradise Bay first announced the agricultural revitalization program on World Food Day (16 October 2007) but needs more volunteers and could not secure nursery materials yet.
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The resort takes sustainability serious in all aspects. Last year, they were the first hotel in the world to install a utility-grade windmill and the first to announce a Carbon Free Vacation, whereby carbon dioxide emissions caused by flights, stay and activities are compensated for every guest. Contact Info:
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James Post
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Tel : (++1) 473-405-8888
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E-mail : info@paradisebayresort.net Website : Paradise Bay Resort and Spa
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