Half a world away, a small garden is making a big difference in people’s lives.

Called Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa, the garden and associated resource centre is located on two acres of land in Digboi, close to the Assam/Myanmar border in northeast India.

It provides information and hands-on training in simple, low-cost practices including composting, crop rotation, and use of "teas" made from cow manure, leaves, seeds and roots of local plants. Used in combination with traditional agricultural practices, these techniques are helping local growers increase yields, improve soil fertility, and reduce use of hazardous pesticides and fertilizers.

Peggy Carswell of Fertile Ground will be visiting University of the Fraser Valley today to discuss the project, which encourages the participation of women and children in sustainable agriculture. The talk is today from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., in University House (Building F), on the Abbotsford campus.