LEARN ♦ GROW PROJECT
From little things, big things are starting to grow!
We frequently see haunting images on our television screens of starving people, the effects of devastating famines around the world. One can feel a sense of helplessness in these 
situations, not knowing what to do because the task ahead seems so immense and we may think that whatever contribution we are able to make would be a mere drop in the bucket.
There is a solution!
But there is a sustainable solution and you can be part of it! Learn Grow is a dynamic project, offering an innovative solution to address hunger and malnutrition worldwide based on local food plants. Local plants thrive naturally, without the need for costly inputs that are often unaffordable to those most in need. As the basis of its work, Learn Grow uses the largest database of nearly 25,000 edible plants ever developed, the life’s work of Tasmanian agricultural scientist, Bruce French. It is working through the Rotary network around the world, food aid agencies and others to create awareness of this solution and to encourage its application.
To learn more about the project, you can visit learn grow website.
Learn Grow on national and international stage
From modest beginnings a few years ago, Learn Grow is now growing on the international stage from its formative base in Tasmania. Following a successful program in Solomon Islands, a number of neighbouring developing nations are well advanced in engaging with Learn Grow.
Several African countries are also undertaking investigations.
Recently, Learn Grow was one of the few groups to be granted a one-on-one audience with the Prime Minister during her visit to Tasmania. Through the Rotary network, Learn Grow continues to receive regular invitations to speak at District Conferences, international assemblies and conventions to showcase its work.
There is a role for you!
This project was commenced in June 2007 and is a joint venture between District 9830 and the not for profit organisation Food Plants International (FPI). Tasmanian Agricultural Scientist, Bruce French, has devoted a lifetime of work to devising a simple and sustainable solution to global malnutrition. In documenting the world's most complete and comprehensive database of edible plants, Bruce has created a tool to readily identify plants that thrive in their homelands, provide nutrition and, most importantly, help the hungry feed themselves.
Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group
Rotary International in late February 2011 announced the official recognition of the Food Plant Solutions Rotarian Action Group, it was launched at the 2011 New Orleans Rotary Convention.
This will add one more to the existing 13 action groups internationally and thus certainly provides Learn♦Grow with significant exposure on an international platform.
The purpose of the Food Plant Solutions Action Group is to support the District 9830 Learn ♦ Grow project in assisting developing nations to achieve food security and reduce malnutrition by embracing the following objectives:
- Promote the establishment ofLearn ♦ Grow groups in districts internationally.
- Encourage these groups to implement Learn ♦ Grow programs on local food production in the 81 developing countries with the highest rates of infant and child mortality, guided by an established Protocol For Engagement.
- Facilitate communication between Learn ♦ Grow groups so that experience in delivery of local food production programs is transferred between groups and enable continuous improvement in delivery.
Learn Grow Action Group website
Learn ♦ Grow Video from U Tube
Bruce French, the intellectual force behind Learn ♦Grow. has been appointed as an Honorary Associate of the School of Agricultural Science at the University of Tasmania. This will strengthen ties between the University of Tasmania and Learn ♦Grow., especially in the area of training overseas agriculturalists in the principles and practices of Learn ♦Grow.
Learn ♦Grow is looking to arrange for an Ambassadorial Scholar to study Learn ♦ Grow. at the University of Tasmania .
A highlight in the first year of operation was for the project to attract attention at the highest level within Rotary International culminating in an invitation to present at the 2008 Convention in Los Angeles.
The
invitation was extended by the RI Coordinator fo
r Health and Hunger, Dr
Eileen Gentilcore, who said after the Convention
"Rotary International World
Health and Hunger projects over the past few years have realised many
wonderful strides toward solutions to world problems. I find most visionary
among these is the 'Learn ♦ Grow' project of District 9830. "
This project was selected for presentation at the Los Angeles Convention as it offers 'HOPE' for many starving nations of the world and a solution toward malnutrition of children, who are dying at the rate of 30,000 daily."
Further information can be found at these web site
Major Rotary grant awarded May 2010
Learn Grow Website http://www.learngrow.org
Food Plants International http://foodplantsinternational.com
Protocol for Engagement
between Learn Grow and Food Plants Innternational (pdf download)
Learn Grow Committee
- Chair: Buz Green (Robyn) Rotary Club of Devonport North
- PDG Lou Johnson (Mary) Rotary Club of Launceston West
- Bruce and Deb French Food Plants International
- John McPhee Food Plants International