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“I had the privilege of immersing myself in a three-day organic farming workshop at Bhoomi Farmers Center in Tiruvannamalai District. What unfolded during these days was far more than a technical crash course. It was a profound experience of going back to basics and re-learning how to see nature’s cycles, soil life, food, health and farming through the lens of interdependence.
We were delighted to host around 64 enthusiastic students and 2 faculty members from Aravindhar Agricultural Institute of Technology at the Bhoomi Farmers’ Centre in Tiruvannamalai.
Sundar and Chandrasekar, are two young natural farmers from Tiruvannamalai committed to preserving native seeds of vegetables, tubers, fruits and crops. Inspired by the renowned organic scientist Nammalvar Ayya, they have travelled across Tamil Nadu, meeting numerous villagers and collecting native variety seeds.
Divya Asokan, a volunteer who spent a few days in our Bhoomi Tiruvannamalai farm shares her experience.
"Gratitude and happiness fill me as I recall my time at the farm. The heart of our land beats in its villages, among the humble farmers and workers. I was astonished by their hospitality and genuine concern for my well-being, despite being a stranger.
From February 5th to 9th, our Bhoomi Tiruvannamalai farm hosted a five-day residential camp for 20 students and 3 teachers from Tatva School, Chennai. During their stay, the students engaged in various farm activities, including harvesting horse gram, transplanting paddy, creating raised beds, and learning about different paddy varieties. They also had the opportunity to participate in traditional games workshops.
In the month of December, when it started as the season of harvest for winter crops, children of Class 9 visited Bhoomi Farm in Tiruvannamalai. A perfect place to understand a land, which can be dry, which can have harsh weather, yet so giving when understood in its true essence.
'Experiencing Nature at Bhoomi' is a one-day environmental education programme offered to school students at the Bhoomi campus. It provides an opportunity for children to be with Nature, explore, and experience themes related to Climate Action and Nature Education.
Resounding drums, rhythmic beats, men & women dressed up in vibrant attire, their faces painted, head gears, mango leaves wrapped around their body, moved gracefully in a spirited dance on the Prakriya school ground. Curious onlookers gathered around, with some eagerly joining the lively circle of Soligas.
When I first saw the flyer for the Bhoomi Eco Retreat on Twitter, it totally felt like the kind of weekend I was looking for, both for myself and my 4-year-old. The idea was to connect with nature, away from the noise of the city and all its trappings. I am so glad to say that the weekend met every single one of my expectations.
Every day, we witness the rising and setting of the sun, the changing of seasons from summer to rain to winter and then autumn. We observe trees shedding their leaves in one season and blooming in another. Nature is filled with countless processes. Just like a tree grows from a seed and eventually returns to the soil.
It is the journey and the not the destination that matters
For many in the group it was the first time to be away from home and be part of a community of adults from diverse backgrounds. Like in all new journeys, it started with the feelings of apprehension, curiosity, reluctance, nervousness and eagerness.
We organized a summer camp from May 16th to 19th at Bhoomi Eco Village, Gumalapuram, for the local village kids. Nearly 20 children, aged between 8 and 13 years, participated in the program.
These are the powerful words from the women/members of the Self Help Group (SHG) at Bhoomi Tiruvannamalai Farmers’ centre.
Devayani, 5th Grade
I really enjoyed the field trip. It was a lot of fun. We learnt a lot of things.
On the first day, we went around the farm and it was amazing. We did chilli picking in the farm. In the evening, we went to a scenic and beautiful lake. Me and my friend.
Foxtail Millet – Locally knows as Thinai, Korra, Navane, Kangni, Kakum, Rala
Finger Millet – ‘Ragi’ is loaded with protein, amino acids and has the highest calcium content of all cereals. As ragi is low in fat and high in protein, its daily consumption can promote weight loss and control blood sugar level.
The ICSE board mandates an annual educational field trip for students who have opted for Environmental Science as a subject in high school. Though there is no such thing as a “typical” field trip, at Prakriya,
On December 3rd, Bhoomi Farmers’ Centre at Tiruvannamalai hosted a one day workshop - ‘ Traditional medicine for Livestock’. It was conducted by Parvathy Nagarajan, a senior Bhoomi Fellow who is dedicated to the economic empowerment of women and to spreading the knowledge of traditional healing with herbs.
For any social initiative to be successful, it is important to embrace the community around which its outreach activities are rooted. For the past two years, Bhoomi farmers’ centre in Tiruvannamalai has been providing employment opportunities to a group of women in traditional methods of farming, processing of millets and so on.
About 6 months back, Suren and his wife Akila, residents of Krishnagiri district attended a workshop on ‘soil biology & livelihood’ conducted by Nammalvar Multiversity & Bhoomi. As a couple they are both keen on exploring a sustainable way of life and care deeply about the environment.
Bhoomi Team had the opportunity to participate in the five-day ‘Ahimsa Santhai’ held at Madurai from September 22nd to 26th. Aimed at perpetuating Mahatma Gandhi's principles, this nonviolent economy expo highlighted the increasing need to turn to organic and sustainable living.
From field experiences we have learnt that continuous application of plant manure has a significant effect on organic carbon status in the soil. Using gliricidia as a green manure provides a sustainable means of maintaining soil fertility.
Today we are both as individuals and societies, facing a grim health crisis. The signs are there all around us. Chronic diseases are spreading across the world – straddling ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries, rich and poor, urban and rural, men and women, young and old and have reached epidemic proportions.
15 students from Magizham Open Learning School, Hosur accompanied by 7 teachers, visited the Bhoomi Farmers’ Centre in Tiruvannamalai for two days. The two-day camp offered opportunities for children to immerse themselves in various nature-based activities and sessions.
I’ve always been interested in Sustainability and waste management. That is what drew me to do my fellowship with Bhoomi College, last year. During my time there, I used to take part in Bhoomi Santhe – organic farmers’ market, held in the campus.
Harini, a 25 year old Software Engineer
As soon as I saw a tweet about Eco Retreat on twitter, I made up my mind that I must somehow attend this. I immediately phoned my friends asking them if we could go, but to my dismay none of them were available that weekend.
‘Experiencing nature at Bhoomi’, is a one day environmental education programme designed to provide an opportunity for reflective thinking and perspective building amongst school children.
Bhoomi Network in association with Nammalvar Multiversity organized a two day workshop on Soil, Science & Life on May 7th & 8th at the Bhoomi Farmers’ Centre at Tiruvannamalai.
On May 7th & 8th, we conducted a 2 day eco retreat at the 22 acre Bhoomi Organic Farm at Gummalapuram. A group of people, keen on understanding ecological farming participated.
A two week summer camp for the children from the nearby Chikkanayakanhalli and Dinne villages was held from 18th April – 29th April, 2022 in the Bhoomi – Prakriya Campus.
Partha shares …
We have travelled nearly 60 kms from our Bhoomi farm in Chengam, Tiruvannamalai. It is 10 AM and the sun is ferocious. Gusty winds blow, signaling the arrival of Aadi month. It is the 5th of July today. I look outside.
On 8th of July, Parvathy Nagarajan, Bhoomi Senior fellow, conducted a soap-making workshop for the Self Help Group women at Bhoomi farm in Tiruvannamalai. Nearly 20 women participated in the workshop.
In continuation with the World Localization Day celebrations, Bhoomi network team conducted a seed-ball making workshop for the children from Mana Tropicale, a gated community in Sarjapur.
Thatching is the craft of building a roof with a combination of dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, palm branches, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof.