The impact of these gardens on the lives of SANParks staff has been immense. Two ranger stations now produce crops of such high quality that they sell surplus produce to private lodges. The gardens yield a variety of vegetables and fruits, including tomatoes, gem squash, beans, spinach, onions, carrots, leeks, peppers, cabbage, lemons, lettuce, and one even boasts a successful potato crop. Vegetable gardens provide the following benefits: 1. Access to fresh produce, ensuring a steady supply of nutritious food. 2. Saving costs that would otherwise be spent on purchasing from shops and travel. 3. Increased self-sufficiency and reduced dependency on external sources for nutritional needs. 4. Better health and physical and emotional wellbeing, crucial for rangers who lead physically demanding lifestyles. 5. Environmental sustainability is promoted by reducing the need for transportation of produce from distant locations, thus lowering carbon emissions. 6. Community building through working together to tend to the gardens and share the harvest. 7. Educational benefits as the rangers gain valuable knowledge and skills related to agriculture and sustainability. Vegetable gardens in Kruger National Park offer a practical and sustainable solution to ensure rangers have access to fresh and nutritious food, even when access to external resources is limited. Our aim is to build one new vegetable garden per year, as requests are made through the wish list. Our thanks go to various sponsors for their contributions over the years - they are much appreciated. Contact William Harmse william@sanparksvolunteers.org SANParks Honorary Rangers 2024 121
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