LEARN ♦ GROW PROJECT
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).
In May 2010 the Learn Grow project continues to create international interest within and without Rotary internationally.
There are now four Rotary districts involved in the development of Learn Grow programs assisting developing nations address malnutrition and food security. Three of these districts are Australian but we are pleased to have one district in the USA also involved.
If we can continue to increase this involvement it will enable Rotary to make a tangible contribution to the Millennium Development Goals, particularly goals 1, 4 and 5 by reducing malnutrition, reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.
We were pleased to hold a dedicated breakout session at the 2010 Rotary Conference in Montreal to increase awareness of this project among Rotarians internationally.
In May 2010 the project received a major Rotary Grant.
Read details of this Matching Grant.
Learn ♦ Grow Video from U Tube
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.
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