The relationship between humans and nature is an interrelated and inseparable unity. Understanding the interaction between the two is important to create balance. Thus, permaculture is present as a solution to create a diverse and mutually supportive agricultural system that prioritizes sustainability to help maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
To raise awareness of the importance of sustainable agricultural systems, Bhumi Horta Foundation and Teman Berkebun held an International Volunteering Service (IVS) Day Volume 2 activity with the theme “peace with nature, peace for all” on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Kebun Qita located on Jalan Kyai Saleh No. 13 Semarang. Several registered volunteers attended IVS Day Volume 2, an internship team from Agribusiness and Agroecotechnology, Diponegoro University, and members of Teman Berkebun. The IVS Day Volume 2 activity included a gardening session and a sharing session with Kak Hani Nurlina as a resource person who is also the Project Manager of the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCVIS) Youth Action Officer.
The IVS Day Vol 2 activities began with an introduction to the history of the International Civil Service (SCI) by Kak Sany the Founder of Teman Berkebun & Bhumi Horta Foundation which was then continued with a gardening session with the volunteers. The gardening session in this activity included cleaning weeds, pruning several types of plants, and making twig weaves on the beds.
Weeding in the bed area is done by removing unnecessary plants to reduce nutrient competition. This aims to increase plant productivity and reduce nutrient competition between the main plant and weeds. Pruning is the pruning of branches or leaves of young plants which aims to maintain plant health, regulate plant growth, and increase plant productivity. Utilizing twigs found around the garden, woven twigs are made for the edges of the beds. The purpose of woven twigs on the beds is to maintain soil nutrients.
Next, the activity continued with a sharing session by Kak Hani about her experience of being directly involved as a volunteer abroad, especially in Portugal in the field of permaculture. In addition, participants were also given information about volunteer programs that will be implemented in Indonesia and abroad.
Participants were also given information about workcamp programs in Asia located in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India. The hope of holding this IVS Day Vol 2 activity is that participants can contribute to nature by gardening as a small step and can be part of volunteers through volunteer programs that are implemented.
Translated by Sany
