CAP-OP2: Summary

This is the second output packet for my second year of the International Permaculture Diploma Program with GAIA University. This OP expands on my strategic objectives and specific learning goals in general, then goes in detail to describe developments of the Urban Agriculture project which I started in May 2011. The initial goal of the project was to build my own knowledge on growing plants at home, especially edible types, and to compost organic waste within the context of urban life in Damascus city. The  challenges that I have to deal with are common to many, therefore my experience in this area would be quite relevant.

Some people in my close circles were tempted by this tiny project to do the same in their gardens and houses. I am describing their experiments in order to highlight the potential, the challenges, and lessons learned in attempt to explore areas where a permaculture training can provide an added value to improve their work.

Another major development was attending a training on organic gardening and joining a virtual group on facebook of enthusiastic beginners. The growing activity and number of page members speaks of a great interest among people in the subject, which provides a fertile ground thirsty for new knowledge and skills.

The next step was about starting an initiative for spreading knowledge on organic urban agriculture mainly in Damascus city. The initiative is still in the planning phase, and this OP only lists some of the elements that are available, which lays the foundation for a coming project to be subject of my comping OP.