Horta a Porta Project – Horta das Austrálias
• WHAT will be done
Description:
The “Horta à Porta” project is an initiative aimed at promoting the quality of life of the population through good agricultural practices. This project involves the creation of dynamic green spaces, encouraging contact with nature and promoting healthy habits while contributing to the reduction of urban solid waste (USW).
The organic farming promoted by the project is a production method that avoids the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, favoring a balanced ecosystem. The initiative provides plots of approximately 25 m² to residents of the municipality of Matosinhos interested in practicing organic farming and composting.
Participants receive initial training on the principles of organic farming and the composting of the organic fraction of their solid waste. The main responsibilities of participants include maintaining the gardens in accordance with the regulations and applying the principles of organic farming. The project also provides water, a space to store tools, and a composter.
The goal of the project is to promote agricultural and financial sustainability, allowing citizens to produce their own food in a more sustainable and healthy way.
Pre-registration can be done by filling out a form at the Matosinhos City Council’s Citizen’s Office or on the website of Lipor, the entity that, in partnership with the City Council, manages the organic gardens in the Porto region.
This project follows the Regulations for the Use of Organic Gardens and the Usage Agreement, ensuring that the principles of sustainability and good agricultural practices are respected.
Through a usage agreement between the Municipality and the citizen, this initiative offers a plot of land for the practice of organic farming, giving residents the opportunity to grow their own food naturally and healthily in urban environments.
The project aims to encourage healthy consumption, promote local consumption and the circular economy, and foster community spirit with the exchange of seeds, seedlings, and even horticultural products among participants. It is open to all citizens interested in cultivating their own food sustainably and healthily, from families to individuals, anyone residing in the municipality of Matosinhos with an interest in organic farming can participate.
The main objectives of the “Horta à Porta” project are:
- Promotion of urban agriculture: Encourage the creation of gardens in urban spaces, promoting the local production of fresh and healthy food.
- Environmental education and awareness: Teach sustainable farming practices, helping to raise awareness about the importance of environmental preservation, biodiversity, and sustainability.
- Strengthening communities: Build ties between neighbors and local residents through collaborative work in the gardens, generating a spirit of sharing and solidarity.
- Food self-sufficiency: Reduce dependence on food from large supermarkets, allowing families to produce part of their food and encouraging a healthier and more natural diet.
- Health and well-being: Promote healthier eating habits and improve physical and mental well-being through contact with nature and gardening.
- Local and circular economy: Stimulate the consumption of local products, supporting the development of local economies and reducing the environmental impact associated with food transportation.
These objectives contribute to the creation of greener and more resilient cities, promoting a closer relationship between people and the environment.
The expected results from a project like “Horta à Porta” can be quite positive and varied, both at the individual, community, and environmental levels. Some of the main results include:
- Access to fresh and healthy food: Participants will have the opportunity to consume fresh, pesticide-free products grown by themselves, promoting a more balanced and nutritious diet.
- Reduction of the ecological footprint: By producing food locally, there is a decrease in dependence on long-distance transportation, packaging, and other factors that increase the carbon footprint.
- Strengthening communities: The project can foster interaction among neighbors and create a sense of belonging, by involving people in a common activity that promotes cooperation and sharing.
- Environmental awareness: Through urban farming, participants tend to adopt more eco-friendly practices, such as composting and efficient water use, increasing respect for the environment.
- Reduction of food costs: By growing some of the food they consume, families can reduce their grocery expenses, which is especially important for families with limited budgets.
- Promotion of physical and mental well-being: Contact with nature and involvement in gardening activities have proven benefits for mental and physical health, such as stress reduction and improved fitness.
- Increased urban biodiversity: Gardens can attract a greater diversity of species, such as pollinating insects, contributing to ecological balance in the urban environment.
- Community self-sufficiency and resilience: The project can help communities become more self-sufficient in terms of food, which is especially important in times of economic or environmental crises.
These results contribute to the development of more sustainable cities and a better quality of life for participants.
The “Horta à Porta” project can have a significant and lasting impact in the future, both locally and globally. Some of the main future impacts include:
- Greener and more sustainable cities: The expansion of urban agriculture will help integrate more green areas into urban spaces, contributing to environmental balance and improved air quality. Cities with more gardens can be more resilient to climate change and rising temperatures.
- Improvement in public health: By promoting healthier eating, the project could result in a reduction of health problems related to poor nutrition, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, contact with nature and physical exercise associated with gardening can improve mental well-being, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Food sustainability: Encouraging local food production can create a more resilient and sustainable food system. Instead of relying on long supply chains, communities will be more able to provide part of their food, reducing vulnerability to global food or economic crises.
- Education and mindset change: Participation in urban gardens can transform how people view agriculture, consumption, and waste. By learning about sustainable practices and the importance of biodiversity, future generations will be more aware of the need to protect the environment.
- Strengthening social cohesion: As more people get involved in community projects like urban gardens, a greater sense of solidarity and social cohesion is created. This spirit of collaboration can strengthen communities and better prepare them to deal with future social and economic challenges.
- Reduction of the ecological footprint: In the long term, local cultivation can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with food transportation and packaging use. This will contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Diversification of the local economy: Community garden projects can encourage the creation of new businesses related to urban agriculture, selling local products, and even offering training courses in sustainable farming. This can generate economic opportunities and reduce reliance on large food chains.
- Inspiration for public policies: With the success of initiatives like “Horta à Porta,” governments may adopt policies supporting urban agriculture and sustainability, further promoting the creation of green infrastructure and encouraging local consumption.
These future impacts can contribute to more balanced, healthy, and sustainable societies, aligned with global goals to combat climate change and promote well-being.
This application corresponds to the “Horta à Porta das Austrálias” project, where 36 plots are implemented, involving 36 households with an average of 144 people actively participating in contact with the soil, the food cycle, and composting, thereby reducing their ecological footprint and changing behaviors.
Location
• WHERE it will take place
Country:
Address:
Action Developer
• WHO will run the show
Entity:
How can you get in contact:
fernanda.ribeiro@cm-matosinhos.pt
+351 229392425
https://www.facebook.com/AMMA.AmbienteMatosinhos/
https://www.instagram.com/crpvaledoleca/
• WHEN
will it happen?
Dates of the proposed action:
• WHY
join hands and minds to prevent waste?
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