The Healthy Patch - Draw for Change
This week we chat to Crystal and Anthony from The Healthy Patch. The Healthy Patch teach people how to grow their own organic food and the importance of removing GMOS and pesticides from our diet. They have worked with some of Australias leading health professionals. With such knowledge of where our food comes from we wanted to hear their thoughts on climate change and what we can action in our own homes.
How do you support sustainability and the environment?
We grow as much of our own food as possible, we compost our food scraps & turn it into beautiful nutrient dense soil & we also support farmers who practice sustainable & regenerative agriculture. We also help people all over the world to grow their own organic food easily with our online program The Healthy Patch Formula & we spread awareness on the importance of organic wholefoods & the dangers of GMOs & pesticides like glyphosate.
In one sentence what is your mission?
To help people achieve their best health, & ultimately live their best life, with the foods we were meant to eat.
How do you stay informed? Where do you find accurate information?
Reading scientific studies, textbooks as well as books, articles & blogs from reputable sources. Watching lectures & listening to podcasts from experts.
If you could shake up one industry which industry would it be and how?
The agriculture industry. Moving our agriculture to more sustainable & regenerative practices & eliminating the use of pesticides & GMOs is extremely important. Regenerative agriculture helps to improve soil health & water holding capacity, combats climate change by storing more carbon in the soil & gives us more nutritious food. Check out the Savory Institute for more information on regenerative agriculture & holistic land management. We also highly recommend watching Alan Savory’s 2013 TED talk.
What do you want to see in the next 12 months?
People being closer to their food & having a greater appreciation for the soil that it comes from. Realising that they have control of their own health & that by choosing organic, sustainably raised meat & veggies they aren’t only contributing to their own health, but to the health of the world.
If you could share one fact about climate change to everyone out there what would it be?
Contrary to what you may have heard, cows are not a major contributor to climate change in Australia. According to Climate Council Australia, all agriculture is responsible for roughly 13% of emissions, with animals contributing roughly 8.6%, making it the 4th largest contributor behind electricity (35%), stationary energy excluding electricity (18%) & transport (19%). Having said that, moving from factory farming - which is both inhumane & unsustainable - to regenerative agriculture is incredibly important & can help not only by eliminating emissions of agriculture, but by storing carbon from other sources in the soil.
If there was one thing everyone could do to help the environment, what would it be?
Growing your own food in your own healthy soil leads to less waste, massively reduces your exposure to pesticides & GMOs & most importantly, gives you & your family access to fresh, nutritious food. Another really easy & effective thing to do is to start your own compost pile, which will turn your food scraps into beautiful soil for you to grow your food in! Supporting organic & sustainable animal agriculture is also incredibly important. In a sentence: Where possible, eat more homegrown veggies & organic, sustainable & humanely raised meat.
Find out more about The Healthy Patch
Website https://thehealthypatch.com.au/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thehealthypatch/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thehealthypatch
Draw for Change is a project that illustrates members of the community making a difference to our environment. The aim is to share positive stories to learn from and inspire action, no matter the size.
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Illustration by Stephanie Don, St.Clement Creative.