Christchurch earthquake inspires the human struggle for food security

Ken Hogan was deeply concerned about the failure of the food infrastructure in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, and he dedicated his life to growing food.

When the February 2011 earthquake struck, many supermarkets were forced to close while their buildings were inspected and cleaned.

“Seeing disrupted infrastructure was a diversion. I went so far as the food is coming [from]Hogan said.

The experience led him to study food production and horticulture, so that he could work on his vision of every neighborhood growing their own food, ensuring their resilience when the next disaster strikes.

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Hogan is now awarded a $ 20,000 Department of Social Development (MSD) grant to study the feasibility of replicating Westport Community Park in other cities.

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Ken Hogan studies biologically intensive gardening in a Westport community home

Hogan has worked in many jobs over the years, including construction, fishing, working and caring, but he has struggled with depression and anxiety and found no meaning in his work.

“There has been a breakdown at 41 … [but] It led me to bring on a vision that I had of an abundant, edible garden created from people’s hands, woven into the neighborhood fabric that would bring people together and feed them. “

Hogan, now 52, ​​wanted to continue the community spirit he witnessed after the earthquakes. He started volunteering on organic farms, then studied permaculture at Kōanga Institute.

He created edible gardens for a game center in Hastings and an animal in Karamea, then a small garden in Christchurch before returning to Westport and built an edible garden at a local community home in Peel St.

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Westport community home has a relaxed community setting as visitors are encouraged to take in the garden.

Visitors to the community home were encouraged to enter the park and share products.

“This is not a traditional community garden. You don’t have a plot of your own. You participate in and help with best gardening practices and you can take bits and pieces of whatever comes up,” Hogan said.

The “magic” of Westport Park was thought to be its location in the community home where counseling services, art classes, meetings and children’s groups come together, creating a “sense of community”.

“We can take out a lot of food. It’s fun, it’s comprehensive.”

Hogan expressed his hope that the idea of ​​a community garden could be replicated elsewhere, particularly communities on the West Coast, to ensure they have food security before a major disaster, such as an earthquake in the Alpine Rift, could cut off the road to the rest of the regions. Country.

MSD West Coast Branch Manager Matt Ewen said Hogan’s passion “inspired me so much”.

“During the lockdown, the government introduced a fund to food banks, so I thought it was an opportunity to help Kane start his business,” he said.

If the feasibility study is successful, Ewen said, more funding may be available next year for the Westport expansion.

Supplied

Ken Hogan received a US $ 20,000 government grant to conduct a feasibility study on food security.

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