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Summary of New Moon Ecological Garden

New Moon Foundation joined East Meets West Foundation to create the New Moon Ecological Garden, or "Vuon Trang Sinh Thai" in Hue, Vietnam. The overall objective of the New Moon Ecological Garden is to demonstrate the benefits of organic farming, land rejuvenation and education; and to promote youth scholarships. As the beautification and uniqueness of this park will attract tourists, the garden is intended to additionally increase earning opportunities and create conditions that support healing encounters for the community and visitors. The initial phase was completed in 2008.

Spring 2009 Update on the Hue Ecological Gardens in Vietnam

The East Meets West Foundation (EMW) is implementing a development project entitled the New Moon
Ecological Garden to be carried out in Truc Lam Village, Huong Long Commune in Hue, Vietnam. The
project consists of three main goals, prioritized in the following order:

1. Create a model of an organic garden geared towards tourism development which integrates organic
agriculture practices and green production in a welcoming ecological environment;

2. Create a set of community-based approaches that benefit the local community and enhance
community sustainability;

3. Engage the local community as caretakers and owners of the project
The main objectives of the ecological garden are to help increase the income and raise the awareness and
living standards for the local community, especially poor farming families in Huong Long Commune; to
reduce environmental pollution; and to provide capacity building training for commune leaders in
management and implementation of sustainable development projects.

Mustard greens in organic garden	Planting flowers in eco-park	Planting shrubs and arecas fence around eco-park	Fruit tree planting in eco-park

II. Project Specifications Community development

Strengthen local capacity in management and project development implementation;

Raise awareness of community-based approaches to organic agricultural production and eco-tourism services for project stakeholders as owners and transfer skills to the community;

Utilize maximum natural resources for organic agriculture in an effort to develop sustainable diversification;

Mobilize community participation in agricultural development, with an emphasis on gender equality and the role of women as key implementers; use inkind local contributions (essential to the program) as indicators of project achievements; and

Share experiences and lessons learned on agriculture development issues

Photos of the actual site of New Moon Ecological Garden and its context in Hue, Vietnam.

photos taken in 2008 and 2009

Some of the achievements of this project to date include:

• Crops: Four main vegetable crops and eight crops rotation were planted throughout the year where the farmers have gained more experiences and expertise on organic farming for leafy vegetables and fruit vegetables planting, and its technical processes for making compost, liquid fertilizers, bio-pesticide and bio-plant.

• Education: Most of organic growers have gained good basic knowledge about organic farming and especially organic vegetables planting over year seasons. This will be useful for home gardening to raise the income of poor families in the commune.  Crops grown include: mustard greens, salad mixes, eggplant, chive and okra.

• Community Support: Community of Truc Lam village is well aware of organic farming and its positive impact to their life, and health conditions. This is one of the forms of friendly environmental production that people can be living safely, reducing environment pollution, and increasing conditions for a better life. In addition, the local government has provided support for the project and the eco-park.

• Organic Garden: As of 2009, an organic garden was established with an appropriate the pipe irrigation and pumping system, and netted fence in the project site that provides good condition for organic growers to keep organic vegetable activities ongoing over seasonal vegetables crops.       

• Finally, the eco-park has completed several structures including the fish pond, walkways and bridges.

Plans for 2009 include enhancements to the eco-park such as planting shrubs, fruit trees and a flower garden. Enhancing the grounds with nutritient rich soil. Continue the organic farm training and grow different kinds of crops including herbs. Finally, broadcast and publicize the project through local media.

We welcome your interest in this vital program. Please contact New Moon Foundation offices at:

(808) 889-0615 or by email: programs@newmoonfoundation.org.

Thank you!