What is an Eco Village? An Eco-Village can be defined as a system of micro-structure agribusinesses and entrepreneurships, designed to be a viable solution in addressing and reducing health and poverty disparities in an underserved area. Ngozi Eco Village (NEV) is a new economic development initiative designed to:
- Nurture the growth of a diverse and equitable community food system
- Promote local economic opportunities
- Provide access to affordable nutritious food
- Provide social change education
What does sustainability mean to you? To some of us it means a way of life, to live below one's means. To others it is pure survival or to save money. Ngozi Eco Village is all of these. As we move forward in our development of an eco village concept, you will learn what sustainability means to you.
On Tuesday January 18, 2011 our next sustainability meeting will take place at the Boys and Girls Club, 1227 Berryhill Street, Hbg, Pa 17104, starting promptly at 5:30pm. Please bring your ideas and expertise to the meeting. Please RSVP by Jan. 14, 2011 of your participation.
We will be planning workshops on rain harvesting here at the Club. Scott Mann will be our permaculture educator for this project. These workshops will take place this spring. We have seven thousand gallons of water to capture! That is right, I said 7000 gallons of water. This should be fun! Donations are now being accepted for this project, which may include:
PVC piping and fittings
Rain Barrels: 55 gallons or more
Sturdy ladders
Use of power tools and drills with various bits
Garden tools
Work and garden gloves, all sizes
Brass faucets and fittings or other shut off valves to be used for the barrels
New and used garden hoses
If you have donations and want to drop them off please contact me so arrangements can be made at drop off site.
We will also be planning our gardens. Sites include:
Reservoir Park
Boys and Girls Clubs
Wm Penn, Downey Schools
Donations may include:
Seeds fruit, vegetable, herbs, flowers (non hybrid)
Straw by truckloads (for straw bale gardening)
Organic top soil
Compost
Manure
Garden and power tools
Gloves all sizes
Safety glasses all sizes
Container all sizes and kinds (all container must be clean and ready for use)
Lumber all sizes (no pressure treated; these will be used for our raised beds)
Fencing and chicken wire
Staple gun with staples
Old shower curtains
New and used garden hoses
Wheelbarrows or wagons
Rain barrels: 55 gallons
Old wooden ladders for trellis
PVC piping all sizes with fittings
String (cotton, jute, sisal, etc.)
clean cardboard (all tape and labels removed; no grease or waxed)
newsprint
craft paints and brushes
contractor trash bags
We will also be planning our food co-op where families, individuals or groups can purchase their food in bulk at wholesale cost. We are working to accept SNAP/EBT benefits for the co-op. Our first food order meeting will take place in Feb. 2011.
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Notes from Tuesday Dec 14, 2010 meeting.
Meeting started at 5:30pm ended at 6:30pm. Seven were in attendance:
- Scott Mann - Permaculture Designer and Educator
- Susan Norris - Transition Harrisburg
- Yvonne Hollins - CEO Boys and Girls Clubs
- Kim Dec - MSW
- Cheryl Burns - Capital RC&D Land and Water Conservation
- Craig Dalen - Messiah College
- David Korba - Publisher Natural Central Pa.
- Rafiyqa Muhammad - Ngozi Eco Village Director, Transition Hbg Member
Community collaborates thus far:
- City of Harrisburg
- Boys and Girls Club
- Joshua Farms
- Shady Nook Produce
- Harrisburg School District
- Capital RC&D/USDA
- Transition Harrisburg
A mobile open-air farmers market is scheduled to open in June 2011 at Boys and Girls Club on Berryhill Street. Afternoon / evening hours 2pm -7pm. We are now recruiting vendors for our market. If interested please contact us for more information.
Urban Farming will take place at the Club along with other sites starting in March 2011. Land design and preparations are taking place now.
If you would like to become involved in our efforts, attend our meeting on Tuesday Jan.18. The meeting starts at 5:30pm.
May you always go in Peace,
Rafiyqa Muhammad,
NEV Director
If you any questions, would like to sponsor our programs, or make a donation, please contact:
Ngozi Inc. c/o Ngozi Eco Village
25 B West Canal Street
Hershey, Pa. 17033
717-343-6881
717-566-2725
Ngozi Inc. is a tax-exempt non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
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