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Practical Solutions Research and Development
Practical Solutions Research and Development
Research, document and develop practical solutions to major challenges of our time including water shortages, loss of biodiversity, food production and strengthening local economies.
Research & document a case study over three years producing an annual report of solutions trials and results.
Team
Aimee Fenech, Anton Oussik
Reporting Officer: Anton Oussik
Area
Prototyping, Grassroots Permaculture Project, Next Steps Project
objectives 2023
Split budget across our four main themes following the seasons:
1. water shortages (spring/summer)
– optimizing irrigation practices
– maintenance/repairs to irrigation system
– documenting & optimizing water catchment systems already in place
2. strengthening local economy (all year)
– document, participate and promote local exchange practices
– collaborate with local initiatives including the seed-bank, permaculture initiatives
3. food production (spring to autumn)
– optimizing and document farm harvests from main crop, foraging and wild foods
4. biodiversity (quarterly)
– put in place scientific survey practices to document changing levels in biodiversity
– document creation and effects of micro climates through changes in water management
OUTCOMEs 2023
See the attached reports in Resources Created below.
objectives 2024
1. water shortages (spring/summer)
– optimizing irrigation practices
– maintenance/repairs to irrigation system
– documenting & optimizing water catchment systems already in place
2. strengthening local economy (all year)
– document participate and promote local exchange practices
– collaborate with local initiatives including the seed-bank, permaculture initiatives
3. food production (spring to autumn)
– optimizing and document farm harvests from main crop, foraging and wild foods
4. biodiversity (quarterly)
– document creation and effects of micro climates through changes in water management
– increase plant diversity by planting perennials in different parts of the land
Outcomes 2024
During the summer months we have repaired irrigation pipes across the olivar in collaboration with our neigbour this optimizes the watering during the dry months.
The water butts used for storing rain water from the spring was used for the bee friendly garden behind the house and was thriving all summer despite record temperatures.
We helped out a neighbor populate his new water deposit with fish because our non-human fed population is high.
We have opened our fig harvest to neighbors as are compost fed and rain watered tree produced a lot of surplus produce.
We have started a collaboration agreement with our neighbour to run an olive pruning course in Q4 and offer it to residents at a discounted price – more on this in the next quarter.
We have renovated a store room installing electricity and laying tiles which can now be used as extra accommodation for students or volunteer who visit the farm. It still needs to be painted and new doors and windows which hopefully will be completed in Q4.
We have spent all our budget for this year and will be billing now are releasing the yearly report in the next quarter.
December 2024 update:
We have completed the cutting down of overgrowth weeds to create a layer of organic matter to keep the soil moist and covered but without competing for water.
In Q4 we had meetings with the neighbour about hosting an olive pruning course, this will likely be delivered next year. We have started work on the olive tree pruning and maintenance which is done by hand saws and a rechargable hand held eleectric saw. This exercise is likely to continue until end of January. The cut off prunings (young shoots) will be given to the neighbour to feed his goats. The bigger wood will be dried for firewood.
Unfortunately the olive harvest failed, this triggered a collaboration with a friend who has an olive grove in Italy mirroring our methods of cultivation and we have managed to supply our clients through this agreement. We also started the orange harvest and finished the fig harvest which was a long one this year.
On the land we have seen some boar damage but luckily not on the irrigation pipes.
The solar panels grant has been approved but we are still waiting for the Ayuntamiento (Local Council) to release the permits for the work in order to proceed with the installation.
objectives 2025
Split budget across our four main themes following the seasons:
Water shortages (spring/summer) • optimizing irrigation practices
• maintenance/repairs to irrigation system
• documenting & optimizing water catchment systems already in place
Strengthening local economy (all year)
• document participate and promote local exchange practices
• collaborate with local initiatives including the seed-bank, permaculture initiatives
Food production (spring to autumn)
• optimizing and document farm harvests from main crop, foraging and wild foods
Biodiversity (quarterly)
• document creation and effects of micro climates through changes in water management
• increase plant diversity by planting perennials in different parts of the land
Outcomes 2025
September Update
Attended beekeeping and culture and legacy of olives courses. Established relations with International University of Andalucia, University of Jaen, University of Cordoba, Olivares Vivos.
Final Update
We took over poorly degraded land and regenerated it while documenting our progress, establishing relations with the surrounding community, produced harvests, improved biodiversity, started a fellowship programme, and gained useful skills.
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