On Tuesday 30th January Doctor Humberto Rios Labrada addressed a packed meeting of local people in Kendal Town Hall.

He described how his country is producing food for its people without the massive use of oil, and how the change to an organic agricultural system is developing.

People at the meeting were particularly interested to hear how Cuban scientists are working directly with farmers to develop crops suitable for the changing climatic conditions, and how local breeders have developed varieties to cope with increasing drought in some parts of the country, and the annual destruction caused by hurricanes in others.

The following day James Smith, the growing co-ordinator at Growing Well', invited Humberto to visit the project. Growing Well' is a Soil Association certified social enterprise at Sizergh Farm, growing and selling superb organic vegetables from its six-acre site.

All kinds of people are trained in horticulture, and there is a programme of educational visits.

All these things as a means of creating volunteering placements for local people recovering from mental health issues, giving everyone opportunities to build their confidence and skills in a busy work environment.

Even in the middle of winter there was lots of activity and vegetables growing both inside and out.

For more information contact Wendy Emmett 01539 736800 wendyemmett@hotmail.com or James Smith (Growing Well) 015395 61777 james@growingwell.co.uk.