September, 2015
By Elizabeth Zhang
At first glance, this plot of land nestled within the trees of Clearwater Bay appears more lush jungle oasis than structured working farm. But on a recent Slow Food visit to HK Perma Club, we learned that considerable thought and planning went into the cultivation of crops from this wild-looking landscape.
On a beautiful and sunny Saturday in September 2015, members and friends of Slow Food HK visited the HK Perma Club where our guides Alex and Ting led us on a tour of the space after which, we enjoyed a fresh, farm-to-table lunch. Against a verdant backdrop of subtropical forest, we learned about HK Perma Club’s key values based on the agricultural philosophy of permaculture and their mission in Hong Kong.
Permaculture’s philosophy centers on sustainability; farming with minimal disruption to the existing surrounding ecosystem and allowing Mother Nature to do her work. The HK Perma Club was founded with the guiding principles of: “Care for People, Care for the Earth and Share of Surplus” in mind. Their aim is to educate and empower the local community in the methods and ecological design principles of permaculture “to improve and promote clean air, clean food and a healthy sustainable lifestyle in Hong Kong.”
During our tour of the grounds, we learned how the Club specially selects species that thrive in the local climate and vary them with the seasons. We also learned about worm farming and were given a demonstration on how to compost at home. We were especially impressed by their commitment to sustainability that extends beyond farming. Everything serves a purpose at the club; food waste is converted into plant food in a large compost container. Even human waste is properly composted and treated before returning to the Earth.
After wrapping up the educational portion of the morning, we helped harvest and prepare a delicious vegan lunch. The vegetables and herbs were picked literally minutes before being cooked and served. The menu included shell pasta tossed with a homemade pesto of Vietnamese mint and Thai basil and, a side of sautéed morning glory plucked from the ground by our own hands.
After lunch, Slow Food members were recruited to assist in felling a banana tree that was ready for harvest, a fun way to cap off an eventful morning. Thank you to HK Perma Club for offering this perfect weekend escape from the fast-paced urban life of Hong Kong. Spend a therapeutic day immersed in nature and learn how to live a more sustainable life.
Check out their website http://permaclub.org/ for more information.