They are helping to grow, plant and sustain a unique garden, shining a spotlight on climate-smart, sustainable agriculture led by female farmers in Africa. The Eden Project has been involved from the very beginning, growing many of the tropical plants featured in the garden, and now the team is helping in the final days of planting. After next week’s London debut, this vibrant garden and its important message will live on in a dedicated section of the Eden Project in Cornwall.
“We knew that we had the expertise necessary to grow the plants needed for this inspirational CAMFED garden and do it justice. The plants have been carefully cultivated to ensure that we have the most perfect crop in the most perfect condition needed to help demonstrate CAMFED’s involvement in supporting young women in cultivating climate-smart crops in sub-Saharan Africa.”
Paul Stone, Head of Horticulture, The Eden Project
Many of the plants exhibited in the CAMFED garden have been grown far earlier than they would naturally grow either in the UK or their native climate. As a result, extra measures were taken to ensure the plants are in peak condition. The team at the Eden Project brought their deep expertise to this critical growing period.
Now after months of careful tending, nearly 1,000 plants have been transported from Eden’s nursery to London for next week’s show. The growing was led by Eden horticulturist Sarah Northcott, who is helping the plants bed in at Chelsea. Some were grown at the nursery by People and Gardens, which works with people with physical and emotional impairments.
CAMFED alumnae grow these same crops on their own farms – through CAMFED, they are trained to gain expertise in growing nutrient-rich crops; they learn to deploy climate smart technologies and horticultural techniques to grow a sustainable farming business that can support their local communities.
Sarah Northcott, Jilayne Rickards, Paul Stone and Tim Grigg at the Eden Project with plants for the CAMFED Garden.
Garden designer Jilayne Rickards took direct inspiration from these resourceful women in creating this innovative, climate-conscious design. She shares our excitement knowing its unique legacy will remain in the public eye at the Eden Project’s world-famous Biomes after the show.
There it will continue to highlight CAMFED’s #SeeGrowth campaign to launch thousands of women-led, climate-smart agricultural businesses in rural sub-Saharan Africa.
