An experience in the heart of rural Denmark

By Jessica Francombe

Our group of 7 Development Instructors were taken into the bosom of a family generous enough to share their skills and knowledge.

A tired but hearty breakfast!

We spent 5 days camping at their farm in Northern Jutland. We not only brushed up on our survival skills (making fire, cooking with no kitchen, building our own toilet etc) but received courses in cheese production, edible wild plants and herbal remedies.

In exchange we offered man power. We built a fence out of branches using only our hands, some rocks and some water. We also, renovated the garden, implementing the “raised bed” system so as to increase the productivity of the soil. We did this under the farmer’s supervision and at every stage found we were gaining more and more useful knowledge for Africa; how to construct the beds, what plant to plant next to one another for optimum growth. How to adapt the system for different climates, which compost to use, and much, much more.

The farmer and his family are in the process of becoming fully self- sufficient. They grow all their own vegetables, make their own cheese, bread, sausages etc and rely on the local shops for only a small number of goods.

Why Self Sufficiency?

Firstly because they want to know what they are putting into the mouths of their children; they are worried by all the pesticides, artificial fertilisers and genetic modification that is standard in the western food industry.

Secondly, because they are sure that a food crisis is on it’s way. Denmark is undergoing financial upheaval and food prices are sure to soar. The world’s population is growing, oil and water (essential for driving the current agricultural methods) are scarce. The only source of food they can depend on is the food they make themselves.

Thirdly, because they find distance distasteful! Modern man is entirely removed from it’s food by plastic wrapped supermarket ready meals. We simply don’t know where our food comes from. Some of the young people in our school have no idea what a whole cabbage looks like or how it grows. Some people don’t even know that the chicken in their curry is the same thing they see on TV with feathers and a beak!

They derive great satisfaction of working with their land and providing for their family. Controlling what goes in and out and proudly producing your own means of survival from scratch.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and are definitely a step closer to being prepared for Africa.