In joining 110% Green Greyton Transition Town (GTT) committed to various initiatives aiming to bring together the communities of Greyton, Genadendal and surrounding villages to find local solutions to the challenges of peak oil and climate change. In the past year they have done exceeding well in meeting and going beyond their commitment.
The organisation has assisted in setting up vegetable gardens in all six local schools, the police station, the new Greyton Eco-Lodge and a rehabilitated section of the dumpsite. These sites are looked after by the children who are part of the after school Eco-crew Club. The Eco-Crew Club has also developed significantly with 150 children attending the different programmes run after school. The base for the Club is the newly acquired Greyton Eco-Lodge which provides a space to create model permaculture gardens, worm farms, hen and goose kraals and fynbos walks on the extensive grounds.
As mentioned above, GTT’s commitment to waste reduction has seen 430 meters of the landfill site being used to remove garden waste from the waste stream and process it into wood chips, biochar and compost. A large scale recycling campaign has resulted in the local recycling entrepreneur being able to employ an additional three people. Alongside this, four swop shops have been established in Greyton, Caledon, Riviersonderend and Villiersdorp.
Creating space for green economic opportunities and investment is critical for the growth of the green economy. GTT committed a large amount of their work on creating local empowerment. They are currently assisting 50 local entrepreneurs apply for the Co-operative Incentive Scheme and to establish ten co-operatives. The entrepreneurs are also provided with intensive training and mentoring.
Furthermore, GTT are establishing a Participatory Guarantee System whereby local organic farmers, gardeners and small holders come together to create organic standards and are able to become ‘Approved Organic’. This process is being assisted by an Organic Inspector from Afrisco and it is estimated that around 100 jobs will be created from these initiatives.
The first 110% Green Food Forward tour visited the GTT swop shop and had lunch at the Eco-Crew Club at Greyton Eco-lodge. We are impressed with the work being done at GTT, and congratulate GTT on their fantastic work!