the small tea co-operative
A visit with grower Gobin Hazarika (left)
The small tea co-operative was created by Kel Kelly and Peggy Carswell, community development workers from Canada's west coast. We live part of the year on Vancouver Island, and spend several months each year
in Assam in northeast India.
Since 1999, we've provided information, technical assistance and encouragement that's helped make it possible for young,tea growers to cultivate, process and market organically-grown tea on a small-scale basis.
The small co-op works closely with Fertile Ground: East/West Sustainability Network, a non-profit organization that has worked with residents of Digboi, Assam and members of their local Rotary Club to develop Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa, a 2 acre demonstration garden and resource centre. Farmers, tea growers, students, agricultural extension staff and people from nearby towns and villages visit the garden to learn how to make compost, identify and control insect pests and take a more eco-friendly approach to growing crops
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Every year, Fertile Ground provides opportunities for volunteers to learn about Assam and tea cultivation and help out at the garden. If you're enthusiastic about organic farming, visit their website for more information and send them a line at fertile-ground2003@yahoo.com.
