'Vilda's background is in scientific research but she and her husband now run this community project full-time. Their aim is to provide education in simple forms of food preservation and family gardens to help improve the diet, health and lifestyle of the family. This is carried out through workshops, demonstration gardens, educational literature, radio and TV. Their work is mainly with children, adolescents, teachers, women and elderly people and they currently work with around 20,000 people directly and reach indirectly, through radio and TV, around 1.5 million people across Cuba each year.'

Background on Vilda s visit

In 1997 HDRA and De Montfort University ran a Study Tour to Cuba for HDRA members, to meet and exchange ideas and experiences with Cuban organic gardeners. Members of this tour, together with others who had visited Cuba subsequently formed the Cuba Organic Support Group (COSG). The group facilitates cooperation with community projects involved in organic production and publicises the development of Cuba s organic movement. [?[ COSG has close links with the Foundation for Nature and Humanity (FNH), which runs courses and supports several projects across Havana including patio and rooftop gardens, school gardens, community composting and tree planting. Also, with a Community Food Preservation Project that provides education in simple forms of food preservation and family gardens to help improve the diet, health and lifestyle of the family.]?] In addition to providing tools and small funds to several projects, COSG has organised Gardening Brigades to Cuba, in response to a request from Cuban gardeners for practical help. In June 2001 COSG will be hosting a two-week visit by Vilda Figeuroa from the Community Food Preservation Project. This will include visits to local organic groups and groups interested in Cuba, in Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol, Bath and London. Vilda will attend the COSG AGM, which will be held at HDRA on Saturday 9 June and will take part in HDRA s National Organic Gardening Weekend by giving an illustrated presentation on Saturday 16 June.

Background on Vilda

Vilda Figueroa is a chemistry graduate of the University of Havana and has a PhD in Animal Nutrition. She has completed postgraduate courses at the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen and other institutes in Europe and Canada. She has worked as an Advisor for the FAO and other international organisations and has published numerous papers and ten books. She has been a member of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba and is a recipient of the highest scientific award in Cuba, the Order of Calos J Finlay. In the mid-1990s Vilda and her husband set up the Community Food Preservation Project in Havana.
 

Vilda will also be able to address the extraordinary and unique Government-supported urban organic community food production movement, which has developed throughout Cuba in the last decade. She has a good command of English and is an experienced and charismatic speaker.

Esther R Roycroft-Boswell Overseas Advisory Coordinator HDRA Ryton Organic Gardens Coventry  CV8 3LG UK Tel: +44 (0)24 7630 8206 Tel: +44 (0)24 7630 3517 (switchboard) Fax: +44 (0)24 7663 9229 Email: eroycroft@hdra.org.uk www.hdra.org.uk
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