Media Contact: Lorenzo Cuevas

E-mail: LC@weareufe.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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July 29, 2021 - Phoenix, AZ - Urban Farming Education (UFE) announces the launch of the Likuni Project in Malawi. As with many Sub-Saharan Africa countries, inadequate nutrition is a problem in Malawi. UFE will be working with Likuni Boys Secondary School and Likuni Girls Secondary School to implement effective, sustainable crop growing systems. The systems will enhance nutrition and education in the region.

Phase 1 of the project is composting and vermiculture to create super fertile soil amendments and earthworms for education and sales. Phase 2 will feature irrigated raised-bed systems 1.5 meters high, which will promote effective pedagogical uses of the garden. Phase 3 will be the super charging of the school farm at the schools to maximize crop yield. The soil amendments produced in Phase 1 will be used in Phase 2 and 3.

The efforts are being led by Mike McMahon, Kim Rillero, and Cristóbal Andrés of Urban Farming Education. Jaffalie Twaibu is a leader in the grant and is serving as liaison between the teams. Chrispin Kaphaika is Project Leader in Malawi. Joshua Kholowa is the agriculture teacher at Likuni Boys Secondary School. Contributing towards the initial planning and later educational components is Dr. Peter Rillero of Arizona State University.

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‍Press Availability:

Michael McMahon, Co-founder of Fresh Food Collaboration and Founder of Urban Farming Education

Peter Rillero, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Science Education at Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Arizona State University

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About Urban Farming Education

Our mission is to build gardens and conduct programs designed for education, sustenance, ecotherapy, social impact, and urban farming for profit. We specifically serve schools, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, foster care prevention centers, and the disabled and elderly.

Our gardens and programs are fertile sites for both community and personal development, engaging with the ever-present global concerns around food sustainability and environmental issues.

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