Dear Friends of Fertile Ground, Thank you for supporting our work in Assam. You’ve made it possible for Fertile Ground to carry out projects that have inspired hundreds of farming families, tea growers and individuals to grow safe, healthy crops – and to say NO to expensive chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides. This is good for the families and the environment, and it’s helping preserve traditional practices and the unique culture of this region. This fall, we’re beginning an important new initiative that will benefit 250 flood-affected families living in the remote northeast corner of Assam. Fertile Ground needs your help NOW to achieve these major goals in the coming year: 1) develop community gardens and children’s playgrounds in the Sadiya area 2) maintain and promote the demonstration garden and training centre in Digboi 3) offer educational support to groups and individuals from other parts of Assam People of all ages – from Canada and from India - will be taking part in the creation of community gardens situated close to village schools in Sadiya, Assam. As these new learning centres develop, participants will learn ways to improve soil fertility and control insect pests, and about the importance of protecting local seed varieties. Families will receive the information they need to make good decisions about crop production, and avoid taking on debt and loans that they can’t manage. We’ll be collaborating with NEADS (North East Area Affected Development Society), an Assamese NGO established in 1987 that promotes community development, women’s rights, and children’s education. After nearly a decade of work in Assam, Fertile Ground is recognized as an authority on sustainable agriculture and we’re pleased to have been asked to work with them on this initiative. Girin Chetia, founder of NEADS, explains “We want to set up organic gardens where people can learn how to use compost, mulch and other techniques to convert sandy soil to loamy, more productive soil. Sadly, many traditional growers are now working as day labourers far from their families, instead of farming, even though they have sufficient access to land and livestock.”