Students from West Pembroke School learnt about organic farming on Friday.

Mikaela Ming, the head science teacher, took students from the school’s gardening club and ecological team to Food Forest farm in Sandys to teach them about sustainability and composting.

Greg Wilson, who owns the farm, told the students from P3 to P6 that the farm has “several different varieties of plants, birds, animals and other things that we bring all into one environment to create a workable ecosystem that is sustainable for ever”.

The farm’s compost is made from hedge and lawn clippings and wood shavings found on the property, and Mr Wilson does not use pesticides or fertiliser on the crops. He also does not till the soil.

He said: “In nature, no one digs and pours fertilisers. The system is biological. You cannot treat a biological system with a chemical solution.”

This approach allows up to 30,000 pounds of produce to grow organically on the one-acre farm every year, he said.

Highlighting the link between sustainability and food security, Mr Wilson added: “For an island this size, it is imperative that we take control of the production of our own food, because no society can survive without a farmer or food supply.”

This passion for food security led Mr Wilson, who worked as a chef for many years, to establish Food Forest in 2020.

The farm relocated from Southampton in September and supplies produce for two grocery stores, five hotels and several restaurants across the island.