Discovering a vegetable garden in Brussels
Description: "Vert d'Iris International" is a young cooperative from Brussels, active in the field of urban agriculture and sustainable food, created 8 years ago. They are managing two vegetable gardens in Neerpede (one of the last agriculture areas in Brussels). Many trainees/aprentices are currently engaged in the organization, thanks to the social entrepreneurship program in the domain of sustainable food. The production of the gardens is sold to many restaurants and organic shops in Brussels or transformed using original recipes (dehydration, lacto-fermentation ...). The social purpose of Vert d'Iris includes the restoration of the nutritional vocation of Brussels by creating jobs in the emerging trades of sustainable food.
Type of Work: Volunteers will participate in the regular activity of gardening, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the maintenance, cultivation and harvesting of fruits, edible flowers and seasonal vegetables in one f the production sites located in Neerpede/Brussels.
Study Theme: Several learning goals will be covered, from gardening to urban agriculture, biodiversity and eco-building with recycled materials.
Accommodation: Two possibilites will be offered according to the sanitary measures. The volunteers can either go home every night and come back the day after or bring their own individual tent, mattrass and sleeping bag in order to camp on one of the production sites. Dry toilets and a shower will be available. Volunteers will have access to a kitchen to cook for themselves with vegetables from the garden (vegetarian food). Usually for lunch, they will eat with the members of the team (meal preparation in shifts).
Language: English, French
Requirements: The volunteers need to be ready for physical outside work and to have an interest for organic agriculture and sustainable development. Basic living conditions!
Approximate Location: In the district of Anderlecht, in the South of Brussels. In the middle of the nature but very close to the city center.
Notes: Unfortunately, the garden is not accessible for people with reduced mobility (wheelchairs).
Covid-related safety measures :
- Face masks to be used only outside of the group
- Ventilated living and sleeping areas
- Contact surfaces will be cleaned regularly
- Material will remain in the group bubble as much as possible
- Remember to cough in your elbow, wash hands regularly, use single-use tissues
- Participants will be asked to sign a certificate indicating that they have not suffered any symptoms that may be related to COVID during the two weeks preceding the volunteering project (sore throat, cough, headache, fever).