An organisation devoted to the grow biointensive method of sustainable farming is to hold workshops to teach people how to grow food in their garden.

The Agra Living Institute is led by founder Chris Faria, a graduate of the Ignite Bermuda entrepreneurial accelerator programme.

The grow biointensive method of farming requires less water, less fertiliser and less energy while reducing land need.

Two-day ‘Sustainable Farming 101’ workshops will be held March 20 and 27, and April 10 and 17, at the Botanical Gardens in Paget.

Mr Faria says: “By the end of the workshop, you will not only have the knowledge and skill sets needed to grow your own food at home but will have become part of a community working to build a more sustainable Bermuda."

He said the first day of the workshop begins with a presentation detailing the eight components of grow biointensive sustainable agriculture. This knowledge provides the foundation of a person’s garden practices and will include fundamental topics such as soil building, deep soil preparation, cool composting, closed-loop fertility, and garden planning for food abundance.

On the second day of the workshop, participants will learn how to efficiently perform important techniques needed to grow food successfully in the organisation’s demonstration garden. Techniques include double digging, building and maintaining a compost pile, sowing and raising seedlings, and transplanting seedlings into the garden.

Mr Faria said the second workshop day will conclude with a wholesome plant-based lunch.

The workshop runs from 9am until 1.30pm each day.

Registration is limited to 20 people at a cost of $275 per person. Fees will sponsor a participant who would otherwise be unable to afford the workshop, Agra Living said.

Agra Living also offers other services including garden planning, irrigation design, one-on-one consultations, and webinars. See the website at www.agraliving.org

For more information, and to register for a workshop, see www.ptix.bm